I’ve been a student and learner my whole life. From high school through college and my career, I’ve sat through countless lectures, meetings and training sessions. The one skill that has helped me retain and understand information better than anything else is my note-taking.
But not all note-taking is created equal. Through trial and error over the years, I’ve discovered seven key principles that transform hastily jotted scribbles into a powerful tool for processing and absorbing knowledge. Applying these note-taking principles has sharpened my memory, deepened my comprehension, and made me a more engaged learner.
1. Know what’s noteworthy
The first step to great note-taking is knowing what’s worth writing down. Not everything read, spoken or presented deserves a place in your notebook. I’ve found it helpful to ask myself: Is this a key point, definition or supporting detail? Will this help me understand or remember the main concepts?
Key ideas to look out for:
Cues that signal importance:
Learning to actively listen and watch for these noteworthy elements is a skill. But over time, I’ve gotten better at quickly identifying and capturing the most relevant information.
2. Write in your own words
Once you’ve pinpointed the key points, resist the urge to copy down what you hear or see word-for-word. Transcribing verbatim takes a lot of time and mental energy, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re processing the meaning.
Instead, get in the habit of restating ideas in your own words—a technique called paraphrasing. Putting concepts into your own words forces you to think about what’s actually being said. If you can rephrase an idea, that’s a good sign that you understand it.
Paraphrasing also makes your notes more personal and memorable. Our brains tend to recall information better when it’s in a familiar voice and style. Think of it like mental packaging – wrapping ideas in your own words makes your notes easier for your mind to pick up later.
Tips for paraphrasing:
The goal is to capture meaning, not create a word-for-word transcript. Putting ideas in your own words keeps your notes concise and relevant.
3. Visualize your ideas and concepts
A picture is worth a thousand words, as the old saying goes. The same holds true for notes. Adding visual elements brings your notes to life and makes complex ideas click.
Ways to visualize notes:
The great thing is your visuals don’t have to be elaborate or artistic. In fact, simple is often better. The purpose is to spatially represent concepts and relationships in a way that’s intuitive for your brain.
For example, when I’m noting down a process, I like to map it in a basic flowchart. When breaking down a system’s parts, I might sketch a simple diagram. If I need to compare and contrast ideas, I will make a quick pros/cons list or a Venn diagram.
These little visuals sprinkled throughout my notes act as mental anchors. After reviewing my notes, I noticed that those visual cues stood out and jogged my memory. Images convey meaning quickly and stick in our minds longer than words alone.
4. Organize and structure
Now that you have captured key points in your own words and imagery, it’s important to put some thought into how you arrange your notes on the page. A bit of organization and structure goes a long way in making your notes scannable and understandable later on.
Note structuring tactics:
The idea is to create a hierarchy and logical flow to your notes so the big picture is clear at a glance. Headings act as signposts that orient you to the main topics and sections as you scan through. Bullet lists allow you to separate out individual points cleanly. White space gives your eyes and brain visual breaks.
How you lay out your notes will depend on the subject matter and your personal preferences. But taking a few minutes to add even a basic level of structure is well worth the effort. When you return to them, it makes your notes infinitely more user-friendly and easier to engage with.
5. Be selective
At this point, you may think that all this paraphrasing, visualizing and structuring sounds like a lot of work. You’re right! Learning is best when it’s effortful. No pain in your brain – no gain!
Taking great notes does require focus and effort in the moment. But the key is to be strategic and selective about what you spend that energy on.
You don’t need to apply these note-taking principles to every single point. The trick is to prioritize. Give the most attention and care to noting down the information that’s most likely to matter in the future.
How to prioritize what to write down:
Go deeper into the note-taking techniques for the ideas that are:
Not everything needs the full note-taking treatment. Be selective so you can concentrate your efforts on what matters most. A few thoughtful, well-crafted notes are far more useful than pages of sloppy scribbles.
6. Review and Revise
Note-taking doesn’t end when the lecture or meeting is over. For your notes to become reliable reference materials and memory aids, you have to revisit them. Reviewing and revising your notes regularly is essential for locking that knowledge into your long-term memory.
My routine is to review my notes within 24 hours while the information is still fresh. I don’t spend much time—just 10-15 minutes—reading through what I’ve written and making any additions or clarifications. This quick review helps migrate the information from my short-term to long-term memory.
I also habitually revise my notes over time as I gain new insights. Sometimes, I make connections that weren’t initially obvious, so I add those in. If something isn’t clear, I rephrase it. If there’s a diagram that could use more detail, I flesh it out.
Note revision tips:
Treat your notes as living documents. Let them evolve along with your knowledge and understanding. The goal is gradually condensing and connecting ideas over time so your notes become increasingly valuable.
7. Use the Right Tools
Taking great notes is so much easier when you have the right tools at your disposal. And these days, we’re spoiled for choice. From classic pen and paper to cutting-edge apps and devices, there are note-taking tools to fit every style and situation.
Some of my go-to note-taking tools:
Notebooks and pens:
Digital note-taking apps:
Devices:
The key is to find tools that are practical, flexible and enjoyable to use. There’s no one perfect tool. Depending on the scenario, I like to use a mix of analogue and digital tools.
For instance, I love taking quick notes in a physical pocket notebook when I’m on the move. But for keeper notes, I want to access them anytime, anywhere, so I turn to digital apps. And for times when I want to express ideas visually, I use mind maps/flowcharts or legal pads.
The tools are there to make note-taking easier and more adaptable to your needs. Pick ones that you love and that remove friction from the process. The more enjoyable and convenient you make it, the more likely you will stick with it.
From principles to practice
I genuinely believe that taking the time to learn and apply these 7 key principles can be life-changing. I know it has been for me. My note-taking skills have been invaluable throughout my academic journey and now into my career.
But I’ve also seen so many people struggle with taking notes because they were never taught an effective system. Note-taking is a powerful skill, but it’s not necessarily intuitive. Like anything else, it has to be learned and practised.
That’s why I’m excited to share these principles with you. Give them a try and see how they work for you. Start with one or two principles and gradually incorporate the others. Finding your groove may take some trial and error, but stick with it.
I promise the benefits are well worth the effort. Applying these note-taking principles won’t just help you remember information better. It will fundamentally change the way you engage with and absorb knowledge. You’ll become a better listener, a deeper thinker, and a more self-aware learner.
Happy note-taking!