Study Tips: How to Take Neat and Effective Notes
If you’ve ever tried to cram for a test by reading messy and unclear notes,
you know that taking good notes pays off.
We’ve got five tips for you to take neat notes that make it a breeze to study!
Don’t forget: you can shop all the items we mention in this video at JetPens.com.
1. Listen actively and paraphrase
Be attentive and ask questions about topics you don’t understand.
When you take notes, focus on the main ideas of the lecture.
Writing in long paragraphs will only slow you down,
so use bullet points to summarize and add supporting details.
2. Use mechanical pencils or quick-drying pens
When you’re trying to keep up with your lecturer,
the last thing you need is your lead to snap or ink to smudge.
We recommend using lead-protecting mechanical pencils or quick-drying pens
so you can focus on listening and writing.
The Pilot Mogulair Mechanical Pencil has a special mechanism that absorbs pressure
and protects the lead.
It’s also a shaker pencil! Just give it a quick shake to extend the lead
and keep writing.
If you prefer taking notes in pen, the Zebra Sarasa Dry is an excellent pick.
The gel ink dries in a flash so your notes won’t smudge.
If you like using highlighters, the quick-drying Uni Jetstream resists smearing under ink.
3. Use a note-taking system
The Cornell note-taking method is simple to set up and keeps your notes neat.
Plus, it helps you process what you learned and makes it easier to study.
Divide your paper into two columns.
The right column is where you will take notes, so make it a little wider.
In the left section, write down vocabulary words, corresponding textbook pages,
and anything else you want to focus on.
You can also write questions to ask yourself when reviewing.
When your notes are done, draw a horizontal line across the page
and summarize the lecture in the section you make.
We like using Kokuyo Campus paper and notebooks for the Cornell method.
It has marks to divide the paper easily.
Plus, the special lined ruling has small dots spaced evenly across the page,
which is helpful for drawing diagrams.
4. Color-code, but don’t overdo it
Draw attention to key terms and important information by writing it in a different color
or highlighting text.
However, be sure not to use too many colors.
If every word is important, it becomes hard to focus on what you need to know.
If you want to learn more about better ways to highlight,
watch our video where we share our favorite tips!
5. Review your notes after class
Take the time to review your notes.
Ask yourself questions: are any bullet points unclear?
What needs further explanation?
Add this information now rather than later, when the information is still fresh.
Use the Tombow Mono 2way Correction Tapes + Erasers to erase
or white-out any mistakes you’ve made.
Kokuyo Tack Memo Sticky Notes are a great option for adding extra lines
when you run out of space on the page.
They come in a variety of sizes,
so you can match a sticky note to the amount of information you’re writing.
What are your best note-taking tips?
Let us know in the comments below!
You can shop all these products by clicking on the card above.
Thanks for watching!