Take Better Notes

Taking good notes is an important part of academic success in college. Not everything the professor covers in class will be in the course textbook, or outlined in slides, etc. In many classes, you may be asked to do a reading or watch a video before a class discussion. Actively taking notes can help you focus and better understand main concepts. Good note-taking will improve your active listening, comprehension of material, and retention. Taking notes on both synchronous and asynchronous material will help you better remember what you hear and see.

Part of good note-taking includes revisiting your notes. During this time, check for clarity, fill in definitions of key terms, organize, and figure out any concepts you may have missed or not fully understood in class. Figure out what may be missing and what you may need to add or even ask about.

Learn More from the Library's Research Guides