When you start studying, you have a lot of information to learn. It is difficult to remember all of that. In such case, the notes will be very helpful. Here you have five methods for making notes.
Bill Gates’ Method of Summarizing
You should divide a sheet of paper into squares. You have to use every square for making different notes. For example, you can use one of the squares to write down the questions, which emerge during the lecture or meeting.
Cornell’s Method
This method was developed by Walter Pauk, Cornell University’s reading and study center director. You should draw two horizontal lines: the first must be above to separate place for the title and the second must be drawn down. You have to leave some space under the second line for writing five or six sentences to summarize the content of this page. You have to draw a vertical line through the rest of the page. The left column must be much more narrow, than the right one. You should make notes during the lecture in the right column. You have to fill the narrow column after the lecture. You should highlight the most meaningful ideas, names and dates there. You will need to make notes in the lower space under the second horizontal line in the next 24 hours. You should write down the essence of your notes on that page.
Mind-Mapping or Tony Buzan’s Method
You should place the main theme in the center of the page and draw branches in the different directions, using the key words. If you want to use this method, you have to have at least three pens of various colors. Mind-mapping is suitable for lecture notes, as well as for daily planning and brainstorming.
Method of the Sentences
If you are not ready to start using the new nonlinear methods of summarizing, you are able to begin using the method of sentences. It is similar to the usual method of summarizing. You try to write down as much as you can. The only difference is that you write every sentence from the new line and number them in the order. Numbering will help you make a reference from one sentence to another with just a little mark (for example, “look at #54”). In such a way, you will not have a lot of pointers, which cross out your notes.
Flow Method
This method was invented by the couch, Scott Young. The main idea is that listening to the lecturer is not the passive process. If you want to get benefit from the lecture, you have to think and develop your own ideas and then write them down. So, you have to write down only the key moments of the lecture and all of your thoughts, which are related to the theme of the lecture. It is clear that these notes are quite different from the classic one, so you should better have a voice recorder with you on a lecture.