Taking Lecture Notes

The technique of writing down or otherwise capturing essential bits of information is known as note-taking. It’s a crucial step in the research process. Notes collected during lectures or discussions in class can be used as study aids, whereas notes taken during an interview can be used to write an essay, article, or book.

Why should you take lecture notes?

Taking notes improves your understanding and recall. Important information provided in notes has a 34 percent probability of being recalled, according to researchers (Howe, 1970, in Longman and Atkinson, 1999). There was only a 5% probability that information not found in notes would be recalled.

Lecture notes should be a brief and comprehensive description of the most essential points and concepts, particularly those that your lecturer considers to be the most important.

Lecture notes might help to clarify issues that were not completely grasped in the book or to expand on information that was just briefly mentioned in the text.

Lecture notes serve as a guide to what matters in the textbook. The combination of lecture notes with notes from textbook content makes for an ideal review for examinations. Taking notes isn’t only something you do while sitting in class. You must employ tactics before, during, and after a lecture to become a good note taker.

The best way to take notes

1. You won’t be able to write down every word.

A lecture is not a dictation exercise in which you must write down everything spoken by the professor. In the lectures, keep an eye out for crucial ideas, arguments, and themes. It’s fortunate that LSE courses are recorded, since you can always go back and review anything you missed.

2. Pay Close Attention

It’s all too easy to become lost in thought during a presentation and overlook a crucial topic. To avoid dozing off in class, try to get enough rest before lectures. Some people drink coffee before lectures to stay awake, while others chew gum. Pay close attention to any examples supplied by the professor to illustrate a concept. The example might sometimes assist us in remembering the information.

3. Capitalize, underline, and highlight

Certain words or phrases are frequently emphasised or drawn attention to by lecturers. To emphasise how significant these words are, underline or highlight them on your notepad. It’s also a good idea to start utilising these terminology in your group conversations to familiarise yourself with them.

4. Make use of shorthand (Abbreviations)

Some words must be put in short but intelligible forms in order to catch up. So, choose a shorthand code that you’re comfortable with and practise it. For example, instead of ‘to’, ‘too’, and ‘two,’ use ‘2’, or ‘da’ for ‘the,’ ‘w/’ for ‘with,’ btw for ‘between,’ and so on.

5. Remove all sources of distraction.

To prevent getting distracted messages on WhatsApp or Facebook, it may be a good idea to switch off your Wifi during lectures. Remember to turn your phone to quiet mode and avoid using headphones or earpieces!

6. Relax and unwind

Make sure you arrive on time for your lectures and find a comfortable seat. When their preferred seat in the lecture hall is already taken, students are typically discouraged. Choose a location where you will feel at ease and as though you are a part of the lesson. For me, the second or third row is ideal. I have a hard time concentrating in the backseats. They remind me of the rowdy backbenchers in high school who giggled and planned pranks on professors and classmates!

7. When you’re unsure, ask questions.

Don’t just scribble stuff down that you don’t comprehend. When you’re unsure, ask for clarification. If you have any questions, you may always meet with the lecturer during breaks, after the lecture, or during Office Hours.

8. Compare and share notes with your peers.

According to the old proverb, two heads are better than one. Finding time to exchange notes with your students and using their notes to update yours and vice versa is a smart idea. They may have noticed something vital that you didn’t.

9. Using a Notepad vs. Using a Laptop

There has been much discussion about which of these two is the most effective for taking notes during lectures. Some believe that notepads are antiquated, while others maintain that computers are inconvenient. It depends on the individual, in my opinion. I began with notepads and then progressed to my laptop. It is up to you to decide which is more effective. In certain courses, though, I still utilise my notes. The important thing is to do what works best for you.

10. Speak your mind

Not all lectures are one-sided. Lecturers will occasionally ask students questions or solicit responses. Don’t let yourself down. Discuss how the topic connects to what you’ve already heard or seen, as well as your personal feelings about it. Seminars and workshops also provide greater opportunities for personal thinking on the subject. They make it easier to conduct critical analysis and hammer out issues raised during the presentation. You can also comment on the lecture and make your own point here. “A lecture is far more of a discussion than many of you probably realise,” George Wald correctly observes.

Note Taking Method

Outline Method

This method requires you to structure your notes in form of an outline by using bullet points to represent different topics and their subtopics. Works best if the lecture follows a relatively clear structure.

Cornell Method

The page is divided into four sections starting from one row at the top for title and date (optional) and one at the bottom along with two columns in the center. Ideal for all types of lectures .

Charting Method

Ideal method for notes that involve a lot of information in the form of facts. The information will be organized in several columns, similar to a table or spreadsheet. Information is clearly structured & easily comparable.

Mapping Method

It helps organize your notes by dividing them into branches, enabling you to establish relationships between the topics. Works best when the lecture content is heavy & needs to be organized.

Sentence Method

Simply writing down each topic as a jot note sentence. Works well for fast paced lessons where a lot of information is being covered.

Indication of how well you take notes.

Evaluate note taking skills.

My Example of using Cornell Method in taking notes.