Took me 3 semesters to figure out how to actually take notes in lectures

I was copying down every single word the professor said like a court reporter (huge waste of time). A friend in my Tuesday chem class showed me her notes that were basically just diagrams and 5 key points per slide. Has anyone else had that moment where you realize you've been doing basic stuff completely backward?

2 comments

2 Comments

fisher.diana1mo ago

The Cornell method changed everything for me after 20 years of terrible note-taking. I divide my page into a narrow left column for keywords and questions, a wider right column for the actual notes, and a bottom section for a quick summary written within 24 hours of the lecture. That bottom part forces you to process the information while it's still fresh, instead of just filing it away. Try leaving the right side blank and drafting your summary first from memory, then filling in gaps from the lecture slides.

ivan_perez1mo ago

Copying down key points and a quick sketch is how I learned to actually stay focused in lectures too.