Identifying your notes

When taking notes, it is important to clearly know what you have written down and remembered. The following suggestions may help:

• For lectures, write down the chapter title, lecturer’s name, date, and topic title at the top of the page.
• On each following page, write the page number and date.
• For printed material, keep bibliographic details that may be needed later.
• The author, title, place of publication, publisher, and year of publication should be clearly written.
• Next to every important point or quotation, make sure to note the source.

Organizing your notes

In order for your notes to be clear and well-organized, it is useful to:

• Systematically organize the text and highlight important parts.
• Leave enough space for better readability.
• Use one side of the paper and leave the other side for additional information.
• Use key points to separate the most important ideas.
• Organize the structure using numbers, bullet points, sections, underlining, colors, and circles.

Mind maps

Using mind maps will help you follow the topic and review the material more easily later.

• The main idea should be placed in the center of the page.
• Details and related information should be arranged around the main idea.
• Visual presentation helps you remember the key points more easily.
• It is especially useful for exam preparation, particularly when color-coded.

Review your notes after the lecture

After a lecture or class, it is useful to review your notes immediately. Ideally within 10 minutes, but if not possible, at least later that day.

• Check if the notes make sense and are easy to understand.
• Organize them using colors, numbers, and underlining.
• Add your own observations and comments.
• Write a conclusion to support easier learning.
• Complete any missing information by asking classmates or lecturers.
• Use the advantage of the information still being fresh in your mind.

Organize your notes

Organize your notes immediately after reviewing them. Leave enough space for additional information and comments during future study sessions.

Abbreviations

Use abbreviations whenever possible. This will help you write faster and follow the lecture more easily.