how to take ipad notes in college (from a sophomore at vandy)!! #notes #study #howtotakenotes, by Mia Wilson on YouTube. 1 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose one note app and stick with it for the term. GoodNotes and Notability are built for handwriting, while Apple Notes is free and syncs across your devices.
Create a folder for each course and name files by date and topic, like 09-12 Cell Division. This makes searching later much quicker.
Build a one-page template you reuse for every lecture. Add the date, course name, a title line and two columns: main notes on the left, questions on the right.
Before class, open the template and copy it as a new page. Download the lecture slides or reading as a PDF and import them if the app supports it.
During the lecture, write in your own words instead of copying slides word for word. Use the pen tool for main points and the highlighter only for key terms.
Mark anything unclear with a question mark in the right column. Do not stop to look it up during class, just note it and keep listening.
After class, spend five to ten minutes tidying the page. Answer your question marks, add a short summary at the bottom and tag the page by topic.
Before an exam, use the app search to pull up every page tagged with a topic. Rewrite the summaries into a one-page study sheet.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your handwriting tools to two pens and one highlighter so you do not waste time choosing colours.
Turn on iCloud or the app's own sync so a lost or dead iPad does not cost you a term of notes.
Back up your notes to a cloud folder once a week in case the app fails.
Write the summary in your own words after class; copying the slide text again does not help you remember it.
Questions
Do I need an Apple Pencil?
A cheaper stylus works for basic writing, but the Apple Pencil gives pressure sensitivity and palm rejection, which makes handwriting much smoother.
Is typing faster than handwriting on an iPad?
Typing is faster for long lectures, but handwriting helps you remember more and suits diagrams and maths. Many students handwrite in class and type summaries later.
Which app is best for a beginner?
Start with Apple Notes if you want free and simple. Move to GoodNotes or Notability if you need PDF import, folders and handwriting search.
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.
