Reading and Note-Taking

Introduction

Notes are not a record of everything you heard. They are a tool to think, remember and review. Copying a lecture or textbook word for word feels like work but often involves little thinking. Better notes are short, in your own words, and designed for later testing.

Read with a purpose

Before you read a chapter or article:

1. Preview: look at the title, headings, images, summary and questions at the end. What is this about?
2. Ask questions: turn headings into questions. What do I already know? What do I want to find out?
3. Read actively: pause after sections and ask "What was the main point?"
4. Summarise: close the book and say or write the key points in your own words.
5. Review: check the summary against the text, and fix gaps.

A well-known version of this approach is often called SQ3R (survey, question, read, recite, review). The names matter less than the habits.

Highlighting

Highlighting a lot gives a feeling of progress without much thinking. If you highlight, do it sparingly after reading a section, and then write a question or summary about it.

Note-taking methods

• Outline: headings and indented bullet points. Good for structured material.
• Cornell method: a page divided into a main notes area, a narrow cue column for questions and a summary at the bottom. The cue column makes self-testing easy.
• Concept maps: boxes and arrows showing how ideas connect. Good for relationships and processes.
• Charts and tables: for comparing things.
• Sketches and diagrams: for processes and spaces.

Handwriting and typing both work. Typing is faster, so it can tempt you to copy everything. If you type, force yourself to rephrase.

During a lecture or video

• Prepare by skimming the topic first.
• Write key ideas and examples, not every word.
• Mark things you do not understand with a question mark.
• Within 24 hours, review and tidy your notes, fill gaps and add questions.
• Pause recordings to summarise, and replay difficult parts.

Turn notes into practice

After each session:

1. Write five questions that the notes answer.
2. Cover the notes and try to answer from memory.
3. Add the weak ones to flashcards.
4. Link new notes to earlier ones.

Organise and keep

Use one system, paper or digital, with clear titles and dates. Make sure you can find notes later by topic. Back up digital notes.

Try it yourself

Take one chapter or video. Preview, write headings as questions, read, summarise in your own words, then write five questions and test yourself the next day.

Summary

• Read with purpose: preview, ask questions, pause and summarise.
• Take brief notes in your own words, using outlines, Cornell notes or concept maps.
• Convert notes into questions and flashcards so they support recall.