Are you starting a course this year? Attending training? Sit in lots of meetings? Here are some top tips to help you take better notes. 

1. Label your notes - put in the unit number for a course, the date of the meeting, the subject of the talk or something useful that means you won't have to read all the way through each page to find the part you need. 

 

2. Don't try to write everything - It's much quicker to talk than write so you can't possible write down every word. You're better off jotting down things that stand out to you (facts you didn't know, points for action) or waiting for a pause and then summarising the main points. 

 

3. Check your notes - Give them a quick read over at the end of the session/meeting or when you get a chance to pause. Do they actually make sense and do you understand them? If not, check with your tutor or someone else who was there. Things may make sense at the time ("blue button thing") but might not be meaningful a week or more later. 

 

4. Do it your way - Maybe you like to use colour, underline, doodle in the margin. As long as it works for you , it's all good. This also applies if your first language is different to the one you're learning/working in. If you don't need to distribute the notes then write however comes most naturally. You may also have voice notes or a recording. Make sure it's labelled properly and you may want to cut it down to make it usable. 

 

5. Reduce your notes - You may have written everything said in a lecture or meeting and that can be overwhelming. Summarise the parts you actually need - highlight things you need to do or points you may forget. You may want to put these in a seperate "to do" list or on revision cards so you just keep the useful parts. 

 

6. Storing your notes - make sure you can access everything. Do you have a folder on your computer for typed notes, divided up by subject? A folder with dividers for loose paper? Stick on tabs to section up a notebook? You can also use a highlighter/colourful pen on the edge of the page to access what you need - eg red at the top for meetings, yellow in the middle for module 2, green at the bottom for revision...

 

7. Use diagrams - Pictures can help you remember and can explain things more simply, from charts of people in your organisation to a quick picture or screenshot to remember a key point or where to find something. You may want to draw a mind map or flowchart to help you remember steps. This could be something useful to share with others as well. 

 

8. Make it funny - something slightly odd can stand out. Does a key term rhyme with something else? Can you fit a key concept or quote to a tune? Avoid anything insulting but a quick and quirky summary can help you remember all the important points. 

 

However you decide to take notes, make it useful to you. Usability is more important than neatness. And, most crucially of all, remember to look at your notes. Happy note taking!