Tips for Effective Note Taking in Class

One habit that has helped me prepare for exams and quizzes over the years is note-taking. Whether it was preparing for college entrance exams to qualify for my undergraduate program at the university or studying and preparing for a master’s program to earn a specialized degree, effective note-taking has helped me achieve my academic goals and succeed in all the challenging university classes.

I began taking notes to ensure I had the correct information shared by the professor in class and to focus on the most relevant topics for college exams. Studying the entire syllabus from the assigned books can be overwhelming, especially during exam time.

Having my class notes helped me reduce the amount of material I needed to review, making my study sessions more efficient. I could concentrate only on the important topics related to the test. Keeping my notes allowed me to be more efficient and effective during exams.

I have outlined below the effective tools and methods for note-taking. I find these tools and methods easy to use and implement. Since these are general guidelines, you can modify them to suit your needs and preferences.

The Tools:

I primarily use a pen and notebook for notetaking. In my experience, using pen and paper helps me retain information much longer compared to just taking mental notes of important things shared by the professor during class or highlighting different sections of the textbook.

For notetaking, choose a pen that feels comfortable to hold and easy to write with. I have found gel pens effective because I like how smoothly they write and glide on paper. A gel pen with a thick tip and a single-line A4-sized notebook are my essential tools. You can pick a pen that’s comfortable for you and a notebook that suits your preference. A pencil can also work well since it’s easy to erase mistakes and re-write your notes.

I buy my pens and notebooks from the stationery section of Walmart or Target. I prefer these stores because they offer a wide variety of stationery items, including pens and notebooks, at good prices. You can also buy these from the bookstore on your campus.

I have also effectively used a tablet and a stylus for note-taking. I used a 10-inch tablet, about the size of a small notebook, for note-taking. For classes that involve drawing charts and graphs, I prefer using an electronic device like a tablet with a stylus. I find it easier to draw and edit on a tablet. The portability of a small tablet makes it a desirable tool, but I always needed to ensure it was charged and ready to use when required.

The Method:

The most important thing while taking notes is to ensure they are clear and concise. When your notes are legible and to the point, they are easy to read and follow. Clear handwriting and properly spaced information on the page make notes much easier to understand.

Concise notes highlight the key and relevant details in short sentences. If the notes are written with unclear handwriting, long paragraphs, and without proper use of white space, the readability suffers.

Pay attention to the professor; if they emphasize something important or test-worthy, make a note of it. Use your judgment to decide which topics are relevant and important for the exam. Most professors clearly indicate what their exams or quizzes will include, which makes note-taking easier.

For example, when my professor mentions that the mid-term exam will include five short answer questions and ten multiple-choice questions, I immediately take note of that. If they specify the expected length of the short answers, such as two paragraphs or half a page, I make a note of it.

Sometimes, the professor will specify which chapter from the textbook to study for the short answer questions, and I write that down in my notes. If the professor repeats or emphasizes a particular topic in class, it’s likely to appear on the test. Students should pay attention to these cues and record them in their notes.    

1)      Organizing Notes:

I keep my notes organized with clear headings and dates at the top of each page. First, I write the date, so I know the specific day and class session when I take the notes. The name of the chapter or lesson should be clearly written as the heading.

Capitalizing or underlining the heading is an effective way to highlight it. You can also include sub-headings within your notes to separate different sections. I prefer underlining the sub-headings rather than capitalizing them. I only capitalize the main heading or title. Clear headings and dates help make it easier to understand and differentiate notes from different class sessions.

It can also be helpful in some cases to write down the page number from the textbook next to the heading, so you know which page to refer to for more details on the notes. I would also refer to the textbook later to add details to my notes if needed and verify its accuracy.

If I share my notes with a friend, they should also be able to clearly identify which chapter or lesson, class session, and topic I am referring to within my notes. If your peers can also easily read and understand your notes, it is a good sign that your notes are well organized.    

2)      Notes Structure:

Using bullet points and having a clear heading improves the readability of the notes. I prefer shorter sentences and spacing them out, so the page does not look cluttered. Use the white space on the page effectively while taking notes. If there are longer sentences, I prefer breaking them into smaller chunks or using bullet points. Clear and concise notes are easy to read and refer to. 

The notes taken in class might not be well-organized or could have some missing information. It’s helpful to review your notes after class to ensure they are clear, organized, and include proper headings or titles, making them easier for reference later. This also aids in retaining the material as you revise your notes.

Comparing or exchanging notes with classmates can be beneficial too. Sometimes I would quickly jot down notes in class, only to struggle with reading my handwriting later. By refining my notes after class, I can rewrite important parts clearly and organize them more effectively.

Reading textbooks is crucial for better learning. They provide comprehensive information about the subject. However, studying from your notes makes exam preparation easier. By developing the habit of note-taking, I was able to cut down my study time, experience less stress and anxiety during exams because I felt better prepared, and consistently scored higher on quizzes and tests. It made me an efficient and effective learner. I hope you can use these note-taking tips to improve your note-taking and achieve better grades in your class.

About the guest author:

Bhishma Contractor is an intern for Wake-Up Foundation. He is also an international student from India. He recently graduated from Seattle University with M.S. degree in Business Analytics in Spring 2025. He also received his undergraduate degree from Penn College of Technology in Business Administration with a management concentration. Some of his hobbies include hiking, jogging, outdoor sports such as cricket and golf, traveling, and learning about new tech products. He is also interested in sustainability and real estate development and aspires to become an entrepreneur.