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A quick quiz to help you figure out how to organize your notes.

Which Note Taking Style Suits You Best?

Do you have trouble keeping up in with your prof in class?

Do you have trouble organizing your thoughts in class?

Do you find it easy to pull out the main ideas from your lectures?

When do you like to start reviewing your notes from class?

Do find it easy to determine the relationship between topics?

This method helps organize class notes into summaries, study cues, and details all in one place.  
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?  
The paper is divided into 3 sections: a 2.5” margin to the left, a 2” summary section on the bottom, and a main 6” in-class note section.  
Use the main notes section to take notes during class.
Use the cues section to review your notes. After class, write down things you’ll need to remember and a prompt for each. You can also use this section for vocabulary words and study questions.
In the summary segment at the bottom, write a summary of your notes. This is where you will highlight the main points.

The Cornell Method

This method is a more visual way to organize your class notes. TIt is useful when learning about relationships between topics.  
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?  
The page is organized by topic. The main topics branch out into subtopics with detailed information about each.  
HOW DO YOU USE IT?  
While in class, begin the map with the main topic.
Branching off the main topic, write a heading for each of the subtopics.
Write any important notes underneath each subtopic.
Continue the pattern.

The Mapping Method

This method uses headings and bullet points to organize topics. It is most useful when learning about topics that include a lot of detail.  
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?  
Each section starts with a heading of the main topic. Each subtopic and the supporting fact is written underneath the proper heading.  
HOW DO YOU USE IT?  
During a lesson, begin your notes with a single bullet point and write the main topic.
Place the first subtopic below and indented slightly to the right.
List any details below your heading and slightly to the right.

The Outlining Method

This method uses columns to organize information. It useful for lessons that cover a lot of facts or relationships between topics.  
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?  
The page is divided into columns labeled by category. The details of each category are filled out in the rows below.  
HOW DO YOU USE IT?  
When information about a category is mentioned, jot it down underneath the proper column.
When the next topic begins move down one row and begin again.

The Charting Method

This method is simply writing down each topic as a jot note sentence. It works well for fast-paced lessons where a lot of information is being covered.  
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?  
Each line on the page is a new and separate topic. To organize your notes even more, you can use headings for each main topic.  
HOW DO YOU USE IT?  
Write down important information the teacher has emphasized. This can be in sentence form or point form.
Start a new sentence or point for each new detail.
Use headings to organize points by main topics.

The Sentence Method

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Which Note Taking Style Suits You Best?

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