I’ve gotten a ton of asks about how I take notes and different types of note taking methods. So, below are different methods of note taking that I use and find useful.
I find the Cornell note method particularly helpful for any subject, and are extremely useful in lecture type settings. The standard Cornell note taking format is very structured which helps organization. I personally do no’t follow the traditional Cornell note look, because it can be quite impractical for using paper, and filling in all of the paper. To know when to write a summary and end notes, I usually divide each section of notes by the topic. If the topic of the notes that I am taking changes I write a summary about them. Below is a variation that I use of the Cornell Method. *Note: I do not always have vocabulary definitions at the end. I only make a section for vocab definitions if there are terms I did not define within my notes.
Mindmaps are one of the best ways to show the relationship between topics and super flexible and are basically your own in terms of design. Overall it is pretty simple to make a mindmap:
In the center of a blank piece of paper you should have your main idea or overall idea
Branching from the main idea, a subheading of a subtopic should be written and connected by using arrows (I recommend writing your information first in the area you would like then drawing the arrow)
Under the subtopic the relationship between subtopic & main idea should be explained and other details about the subtopic should also be added such as: important dates, quotes, and themes
I would also recommend to go in order such as counterclockwise or clockwise to make sure you have enough space for each of your topics. I suggest color coding your mindmaps and adding pictures or diagrams to help you remember key points! Continue this until you fill up the paper with all of your topics!
The outline method can be used also in any situation. I like to use the outline method for subjects like science and english. The outline method is relatively simple and easy to use, and can be changed to your liking. All you do is, put the major points farthest to the left and then indent each more specific point to the right. The father away the point is from the main point, the less it pertains or is important to it. Indentions can be labeled with Roman numerals, dashes, or bullet points. There are some downfalls to the outline method, due to the thinking required if you are ordering the points by importance, which can slow down lecture note taking.
An example of the outline method:
1. Main Point (very broad/general) i. This concept must always apply to the sub-level above ii. This is a second supporting piece of information but not as important iii. Other information iv. Information equally important as the point above
Two Column notes are literally as the name says. You split your paper down the middle creating “two columns”, and on the left side of the column you ask questions that explain your term. On the right hand side the definition of the term would be explained. There are different variations that can be taken on the two column notes. Two column notes can be used to learn new vocab and is super easy and quick to make. My two column notes can be found here.
snowghoul
2087
stormborns
prguitarman
titsay
