Note Taking Advice for Students

By: Emerson Krasusky ‘26, Student Academic Mentor

Before Class

  • Get Ready: Do the assigned readings beforehand so you're familiar with the concepts and ideas → it'll help you follow along more easily
  • Review Your Old Notes: Looking over notes from previous classes can refresh your memory and help connect new material
  • Check Lecture Slides: If your professor posts slides in advance, go through them to get an idea of what will be covered

During Class

  • Pay Attention: Sit in a good spot, focus on the main points, and listen for key ideas the professor emphasizes
  • Keep It Simple: Use abbreviations to save time (ex. “w/” for “with”)
  • Mark Important Stuff: Highlight dates, formulas, and key concepts so they stand out later → use different colors to separate topics

After Class

  • Review ASAP: Go over your notes within 24 hours to help lock the information into your memory
  • Fill in Gaps: Add anything you missed and clarify anything that seemed unclear
  • Summarize: Write a quick summary to capture the main ideas 

Taking Notes on Readings

  • Highlight Smartly: Use different colors for different concepts (ex. yellow for definitions and blue for key ideas)
  • Define Key Terms: If you don’t know a word, look it up and write it down
  • Make Connections: Relate what you're reading to things you already know to help it stick
  • Focus on Structure: Pay attention to section titles and introductions → they give clues about what’s important

Handwritten vs. Typed Notes

  • Handwritten Notes: They force you to summarize and engage with the material, which helps you remember it better
  • Typed Notes: You can write more, but they can become word-for-word transcriptions, which isn't always helpful. If you type, try to summarize instead of copying everything
  • Mix It Up: Use a combination of handwritten and digital notes depending on the class and your learning style

Useful Note-Taking Tools

  • Evernote: Perfect for tagging, organizing, and searching your notes
  • Notion: Helps you structure your notes with to-do lists and databases
  • Goodnotes/Notability (for tablets): Ideal for handwritten notes and sketching diagrams
  • Quizlet/Anki: Great for flashcards and spaced repetition studying

Sources:

Mueller, P. A., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2014). The pen is mightier than the keyboard. Psychological Science, 25(6), 1159–1168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614524581

Note-taking guide . Amherst College. (n.d.). https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/support/strategic-learning-center/learning-resources/note-taking-guide

Note-taking guide. Note-Taking Guide | Barnard Center for Engaged Pedagogy. (n.d.). https://cep.barnard.edu/note-taking-guide

The Trustees of Princeton University. (n.d.). Listen actively and take Great Notes | McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning. Princeton University. https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/undergraduates/resources/resource-library/take-great-notes#:-:text=note   

Notetaking Tip

"It’s helpful to develop a consistent structure for your notes! For instance, try using headers, subheaders, and bullet points to keep things organized. Bonus points if you incorporate color into this structure (e.g. write/type formulas in blue, highlight key terms in pink, underline important concepts in red, etc.). While the structure can vary based on the subject—math notes will look different than econ notes—the overall format should be consistent. This will help you engage with your notes more effectively!" - Emerson Krasusky '26, Student Academic Mentor (SAM)

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