NOTE TAKING 101
p. 1
In the university, taking notes and using notes later is a key part of learning and remembering information from lectures,
class discussions, and other activities. Because note taking is such an important part of the learning process, it’s a good idea
to take time to evaluate your processes and experiment to find what note taking strategies work for each of your courses.
There are some common ways to take notes, and you’ve likely tried a few of them already. Keep in mind that how you take
notes in different classes can—and should—vary. Here are a few note-taking strategies to try:
CORNELL: MIND-MAP: LECTURE SLIDES: FLOWCHART:
Qs Notes
MATRIX:
OUTLINE: X vs. Y
Summary
•••
NOTE TAKING IS A PROCESS THAT HAPPENS
BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER CLASS
BEFORE
Print out and review any lecture notes or slides Write questions you hope the lecture will answer
Be sure notes include information from all other
Look for and connect your notes to learning outcomes assigned work for the week (Canvas or online content,
readings, upcoming homework, videos, etc.)
Identify main concepts and terms you expect to learn
Try a few of the week's assigned practice problems
DURING
Take notes in your own words Note new questions or areas of confusion from the
Use consistent abbreviations and symbols lecture so you can review those concepts later
Include notes for all aspects of the class (lecture, dis- Capture main ideas and sufficient detail (definitions,
cussion, student questions/answers, visuals) examples, images)
Add depth and detail to the notes you bring to class
Answer any questions you wrote before class Make and visualize connections between concepts
AFTER
Make time to return to your notes after class
+ =
Add to your notes at moments you marked confusing
Relate your notes to the week's learning outcomes Summarize your notes in writing, verbally, or—better
yet—both!
Compare notes with a classmate to catch missed info
Connect current class notes to concepts from the
Transform your notes into a new format (e.g., visual,
previous classes/weeks
mind map, quiz questions, study guide)
Use your notes to self-test on key concepts
Brought to you by the
Academic Success Center
success.oregonstate.edu/learning
p. 1
In the university, taking notes and using notes later is a key part of learning and remembering information from lectures,
class discussions, and other activities. Because note taking is such an important part of the learning process, it’s a good idea
to take time to evaluate your processes and experiment to find what note taking strategies work for each of your courses.
There are some common ways to take notes, and you’ve likely tried a few of them already. Keep in mind that how you take
notes in different classes can—and should—vary. Here are a few note-taking strategies to try:
CORNELL: MIND-MAP: LECTURE SLIDES: FLOWCHART:
Qs Notes
MATRIX:
OUTLINE: X vs. Y
Summary
•••
NOTE TAKING IS A PROCESS THAT HAPPENS
BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER CLASS
BEFORE
Print out and review any lecture notes or slides Write questions you hope the lecture will answer
Be sure notes include information from all other
Look for and connect your notes to learning outcomes assigned work for the week (Canvas or online content,
readings, upcoming homework, videos, etc.)
Identify main concepts and terms you expect to learn
Try a few of the week's assigned practice problems
DURING
Take notes in your own words Note new questions or areas of confusion from the
Use consistent abbreviations and symbols lecture so you can review those concepts later
Include notes for all aspects of the class (lecture, dis- Capture main ideas and sufficient detail (definitions,
cussion, student questions/answers, visuals) examples, images)
Add depth and detail to the notes you bring to class
Answer any questions you wrote before class Make and visualize connections between concepts
AFTER
Make time to return to your notes after class
+ =
Add to your notes at moments you marked confusing
Relate your notes to the week's learning outcomes Summarize your notes in writing, verbally, or—better
yet—both!
Compare notes with a classmate to catch missed info
Connect current class notes to concepts from the
Transform your notes into a new format (e.g., visual,
previous classes/weeks
mind map, quiz questions, study guide)
Use your notes to self-test on key concepts
Brought to you by the
Academic Success Center
success.oregonstate.edu/learning
