how to take notes like the top 1% of students, by Gohar Khan on YouTube. 14 min.
- Video length
- 14 min
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Before class, skim the syllabus or slides for the topic. Write the date, course and topic at the top of a fresh page so you can find it later.
Set up your page in two columns. Use the wide right side for main notes and a narrow left margin for keywords and questions you add later.
Write in your own words as the lecturer talks. Short phrases and bullet points beat full sentences, and they keep you listening instead of transcribing.
Copy down anything written on the board, plus definitions, formulas, dates and anything the lecturer repeats or says will be on the test.
Leave a gap when you miss something and mark it with a question mark. Keep going and fill the gap from the slides or a classmate afterwards.
Use a second colour or a highlighter only for key terms and examples. Too much colour makes everything look important.
Within 24 hours, read your notes and add a short summary of three to five lines at the bottom of the page. This is when most forgetting happens.
Turn the left-margin keywords into questions, then cover the notes and answer them out loud. This turns your notes into a quick self-test.
Store notes by course and date, in a folder or a notes app with search. Review the summaries weekly rather than rereading every page.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not try to write every word. You will fall behind and stop thinking about what is being said.
If typing distracts you or you type too fast without thinking, switch to paper for that class.
Ask the lecturer before recording audio, and check your school's rules on phones in class.
Rewrite messy notes the same day while the lecture is still fresh in your head.
Questions
Should I type or handwrite my notes?
Both work. Handwriting tends to slow you down enough to summarise, while typing is faster for long lectures. Pick the one that keeps you focused and test it for a week.
What if the lecturer talks too fast to keep up?
Write keywords and leave gaps, then fill them from the slides or a classmate's notes. Many lecturers post slides online, so check there first.
How often should I review my notes?
A short review within 24 hours and a weekly pass over your summaries is enough for most courses. Add a longer review before exams.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
