If your in-class notes are messy, unorganized, and unclear at first glance, you’re not going to get much use out of them. This has nothing to do with how neat your handwriting is — it’s all about how your notes are structured.

One of the most effective ways to remember (and understand) what you are learning in class is to take effective notes in the classroom.

Whether you are sitting in a lecture hall or watching a lecture online, note-taking in class can be intimidating, but with a few strategic practices, anyone can take clear, effective notes. This handout will discuss the importance of note-taking, qualities of good notes, and tips for becoming a better note-taker.

Note-taking techniques

The Cornell Method

This has been around for decades and was created at Cornell University in the Unites States. In this method, you divide your paper into three sections: notes, cues, and summary.

Your notes section is for the notes you take during class. You can structure them however you like, but most people like to use the outline method.

Write your cues section either during or directly after class. This section can be filled out with main points, people, or potential test questions. Use this section to give yourself cues to help you remember larger ideas.

You can write your summary section directly after class, or later when you’re reviewing your notes. Use this section to summarize the entire lecture.

Keep your cue and summary sections as simple as possible. However, feel free to fill up the notes section with doodles, diagrams, page references, and whatever else you need to properly represent the material presented in class.

The Outline Method

This is a linear method and the one many people naturally gravitate towards. Usually organised with headings and bullet points and written straight down the page. However, it may be more useful as a study technique than when you’re first being introduced to new information.

The Outlining note taking method uses headings and bullet points to organize topics. This method is most useful when learning about topics that include a lot of detail.

The Mapping Method

This looks like a tree with branches or a cloud with arms. It starts with one idea in the middle (the main topic), and then has branches (major points) reaching out with smaller branches (sub points) underneath. If you’re visual, you may prefer this system.

The Mapping note taking method is a more visual way to organize your class notes. This technique is useful when learning about relationships between topics.

The page is organized by topic. The main topics branch out into subtopics with detailed information about each.

The Chart Method

This is good if you know what the topics are before you start and there are distinct categories of information.

Charting note taking method uses columns to organize information. This method is useful for lessons that cover a lot of facts or relationships between topics.

Divide your page into several columns and start with the main points listed at the top of each column, with sub points underneath.