Every student, whether he/she is in primary school or a university, needs to take notes in class and while studying. Whether you're an office goer, who wants to keep track of your work, or a student who's taking notes in class, note-taking is one of the most effective ways to retain information. It helps you with the revision of work, and also helps you in understanding your tasks well. Note-taking is an essential skill that is useful for everybody in their day-to-day life. The big question is, "Are you taking notes properly?" In this article, we will highlight the various methods that are essential if you want to properly take notes and retain information.

1. Stationery

The first and foremost thing to do is to make sure that you have all the necessary stationery items that are required, i.e., a notebook, pen, pencil, highlighters, anything that you want to use. Use whatever you're comfortable with, and get ready to take notes.

2. Listening Skills

Don't jot down everything that your teacher is saying. The main purpose of note-taking is to retain and understand information properly. Understand the gist of the topic being taught in class, clear your doubts, and then note down points according to that information.

3. Write, Don't Type

It is recommended to take notes by hand. Although it is easier and more convenient to type, writing with your hand helps you retain information more effectively than typing on a smartphone or tablet. Research shows that handwriting notes help us retain information for a longer period of time. 

4. Write Bullet Points

Try and understand the gist of what is being spoken and break it down into bullet points. Bullet points will help you understand the concept of the topic more easily. Many people make the mistake of writing down entire paragraphs. However, you should simplify the information and write it in a language that you can easily understand. Also, try to note down important information like relevant dates, years, names of important personalities, etc.

5. Note Down New Information

You shouldn't bother writing down information that you are already familiar with. Try to find new pieces of information between lectures and note down that information. This will help you retain maximum information with minimum effort. Take notes smartly, you do not benefit from jotting down information that you already know. 

6. Shorthand is a boon

Shorthand is a blessing in disguise if you want to take notes. It is practically impossible to listen and simultaneously write everything the speaker says. That is why it is easier to use shorthand rather than writing complete paragraphs, you can use shortened words, abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols as long as you understand your notes. 

7. Color-coding

Color coding is another sweet trick for taking notes. Colors help our brain with retention. You can color-code your notes to access the information while revising your notes.

Conclusion

Taking notes seems like a simple activity, but there are many mistakes people make while performing a simple activity. Employ these tips the next time you're taking notes and see the difference. Taking notes is essential while preparing for a competitive examination, if you're looking for an online course to prepare for a competitive examination, try Coaching Wale. Our experienced educators will help you clear your exam and will also share many more tips and tricks to make your preparation easy.