Make notes It has become a whole science that currently feeds thousands of articles all over the Internet. It is not weird. People are looking for the best way to do it, so they look to the net for advice. And here we are, ready to try to help you in different ways. It is precisely in these ways that we are going to give you a hand.
This time we are going to take advantage of the ticket to show you a total of four ways with which you can take notes in a really useful way. Be prepared because, although you can use the ones you want, in reality the easiest thing would be for you to choose one in particular, enhancing it as much as possible. Let's look at them.
Cornell Method: clear and easy-to-review notes
First, there is the Cornell methodwhich consists of dividing the notes into three sectionsalways reflecting the most important ideas. This structure turns each sheet into a small, comprehensive study sheet that is easy to review later.
To apply it practically, prepare the sheet as follows: at the top write the subject, topic titleInclude the date and, if you like, the page number. This will help you keep your notes organized. organized quickly locate what you need.
Next, draw a vertical line dividing the center of the sheet into two columns. right columnThe wider area will be the main notes area: this is where the teacher's explanations, definitions, key examples, formulas, and any relevant information that comes up in class will go.
La left columnThe narrower one, you'll use it for writing keywordsQuestions to help you remember the content, important concepts, and small clues that connect the different parts of the topic. You can complete this section during class or right afterward, when you review what you've written.
Finally, leave a space at the bottom of the page to write a brief summary Regarding the content: in three or four lines, summarize the main ideas. This step, which is done at the end of the class or while studying, forces you to reflect, select the essentials and better consolidate what has been learned.
Split-page method: main and secondary ideas
In the second one we find the possibility of Divide the notes into two partsThese will be the main and secondary ideas. This system is very similar to Cornell's in form, but its objective is somewhat different: it forces you to prioritize the information while you listen to it.
To use it, divide the sheet into two columns of similar size. In the left column you will write down the titlesKey concepts, very important definitions, and everything you consider the basic structure of the topic. In the right column they will go details: longer explanations, examples, dates, numerical data or clarifications.
This approach is especially useful if you tend to get lost when the teacher goes into lengthy explanations, because it forces you to identify what is core of the topic and what constitutes development or nuance. When you study, it will suffice to first look at the column of main ideas and then complete your understanding with the second.
An important recommendation is to always leave Blanks between blocks of information. This will allow you to later add data that the teacher repeats at the end, clarifications you ask in class, or information you extract from books and supplementary readings.
Supernotes: drawings, visuals, and mind maps
Now let's go to supergradeswhich are based on taking notes with drawingsby creating small notes containing what we want to study. This technique takes advantage of the fact that the brain usually processes... visual information in a faster and more memorable way than long paragraphs of text.
To create supernotes, you can organize the sheet as if it were a kind of comic or a series of bullet points. In each box, draw diagrams, simple icons, charts, arrows, and keywords that represent the most important ideas explained in class. You don't need to be a good artist: what matters is that your symbols are clear for you.
Within this visual approach, the following fit very well: mind and concept mapsStart by placing the main topic in the center of the page and, from there, create remaining Focus on subtopics, related concepts, examples, and details. Use short words, colors, and lines to show how they connect.
This type of note-taking allows you to see, at a glance, the global structure of the subject matter and the relationships between ideas. It is especially effective in subjects with many linked concepts (history, biology, law, competitive exams, etc.) and, in addition, it usually reduces the amount of text you need to write, which helps you to better keep up with the pace of the explanation.
Symbols, abbreviations, and note-taking speed
Finally, we can also use symbols and abbreviations which, although simple, will also allow us to develop our ideas so we can enhance them as much as possible. Creating your own system is key to being able to write faster without losing important information.
The idea is to replace frequently repeated words with shortcuts that you always understand: signs like + and – to express contrasts, arrows to indicate causes and consequences, abbreviations for terms frequently used in your subject, and small marks (asterisks, underlines, boxes) to indicate what the teacher highlights as especially relevant.
Combine these symbols with phrases short And simple language will help you avoid trying to copy everything word for word. Remember that taking notes isn't dictation, but rather recording information. Key ideas which you can then expand upon with the book, the slides, or your personal summaries.
In addition, it is highly recommended that after the class you dedicate a few minutes to revise And complete what you've written: clarify arrows you don't remember, explain abbreviations that might be confusing, and add examples that will be mentioned quickly. This quick review consolidates your memory and transforms your notes into solid study material.
You already know our advice. Although we have summarized four ways to write down the content, you can choose the one you want or even create your own. Who says you can't mix them To make them more useful? The possibilities are limitless, so you can research as much as you want and adapt each technique to your learning style until you turn your notes into a truly effective study tool.