How I Take Notes - Tips for Neat and Efficient Note Taking, by Thesis Helper on YouTube. 2 min 41 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 41 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Skim the chapter first. Read the headings, subheadings and any bold words, then look at the summary and questions at the end so you know what matters before you start writing.
Set up your page before reading. Write the chapter title, the date and the page numbers at the top, then draw a margin down the left side for keywords.
Read one section at a time and stop at the end of it. Do not copy sentences out of the book; that fills pages without helping you remember.
Close the book or look away, then write the section's main idea in one or two sentences in your own words. Keep the wording short and plain.
Add two or three supporting facts underneath as bullet points. Use numbers, dates and definitions only where they matter, and leave out the rest.
Put a keyword in the left margin next to each block of notes. You can cover the notes later and test yourself from the keywords alone.
Mark anything you did not understand with a question mark or a different colour. Look it up straight away or ask about it in class.
Finish with a five-line summary of the whole chapter at the end of your notes. Reread your notes the next day and fill in any gaps.
Tips and common mistakes
Leave a blank line between sections so you can add points later without squeezing them in.
Write on one side of the page only, so you can spread your notes out when revising.
If you fall behind, note the page number and move on rather than copying whole paragraphs.
Keep one notebook or folder per subject so you are not hunting for loose pages before a test.
Questions
Should I write notes by hand or type them?
Either works. Handwriting slows you down enough to think about the words, while typing is faster for long lists and easier to search later.
How much should I write for one chapter?
Aim for one page of notes per five to ten pages of textbook. If your notes are nearly as long as the chapter, you are copying rather than summarising.
What if I do not know what the main idea is?
Use the section heading as a question and answer it in one sentence. The first and last sentence of a paragraph usually hold the point.
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.
