Adopt a Note-Taking Methodology

You may be someone who can effortlessly:

• Spot key points right away.
• Write clearly at a fast pace.
• Create notes that are comprehensible months later.

However, this isn’t the case for most people; note-taking isn't inherently in our genetic makeup.

The good news is that you’re not alone, and various methodologies exist. By adopting a specific method, you can better navigate challenges such as:

• Presentations that are as dense as a neutron star.
• Talks that seem to bounce around erratically.
• A multitude of meetings and lectures that start to blend together.

Here's a concise summary of effective note-taking techniques:

• The Outline Method: Avoid full sentences. Differentiate between main ideas and subtopics, using bullet points.
• The Cornell Method: Utilize the main section for notes and place cues/keywords on the left side. Summarize at the bottom.
• The Boxing Method: Ideal for digital notes, this involves creating boxes for each topic and filling them with related ideas.
• The Mapping Method: Similar to mind mapping, where you jot everything down and then add notes and connections later.
• The Charting Method: Organize a lot of points in a structured format like a spreadsheet.

Personally, the Cornell Method is one I wish I had known during my MBA journey. Its key advantage is that it compels you to process what you’ve heard or read, making it invaluable for complex subjects.

Whichever method you select, don’t feel obligated to adhere strictly to one. Mix and match what works best for you.

Commit to a Note-Taking System

I’ll admit, I'm not great at this. I often find myself testing out new apps, particularly for note-taking and task management. It’s a bit embarrassing.

This is partly because no app perfectly aligns with my needs and partly due to my tendency to flit from one thing to another.

However, this unpredictability can be detrimental when taking crucial notes. You definitely don’t want to be deciphering how to use footnotes during an important meeting while the speaker moves on without a second thought.

On a brighter note, even seemingly basic note-taking apps like Apple Notes have hidden functionalities that can simplify your process.

Take a look at these resources for maximizing Apple Notes:

• Turn Apple Notes Into A Free AI-Powered Personal Filing System: Learn how to use Apple Notes effectively without being overly tech-savvy.
• How Quick Notes is the Fast Way to Research on iPad: This guide explores how Quick Notes can streamline your research.

You shouldn’t have to be preoccupied with figuring out an app's features while trying to keep up during a lecture or meeting.

Practice is key. Take notes on a few YouTube videos to familiarize yourself with the app under pressure.

The Importance of Handwriting

Avoid typing all your notes! Research from Penn University highlights several benefits of handwriting:

• Writing by hand can alleviate stress.
• Students who take notes longhand tend to achieve better learning outcomes.
• Those who type often create verbatim notes rather than summarizing key points.

Handwriting doesn’t necessarily mean using traditional pen and paper. Modern tablets and styluses offer advantages over paper.

Consider exploring:

• Which is Best for Handwritten Notes? GoodNotes, Notability, or Apple Notes?: A comparative look at top iPad apps for handwritten notes.

Develop a Strategy for Information Management

Whether you're taking notes for work or study, information can pile up quickly. Imagine if you were to physically throw papers around your desk.

No one would feel satisfied about that. So why do we allow important information to languish in emails or be lost in bookmarks?

The most effective way to manage this is to have a clear plan. Decide where different types of information should go; otherwise, it can end up scattered or lost.

Consider exploring the Zettelkasten method, a time-tested strategy for organizing information. Its principles can be applied to both physical and digital formats.

Here’s how I incorporated it using Apple Notes:

• How I Analysed Over 1,400 Articles in 6 Months Using Apple Notes: This article details how I combined Apple Notes with a proven research strategy.

Regardless of whether you use Zettelkasten, having any form of organization is better than none.

Avoid This First Mistake

From my experience, one of the biggest mistakes in note-taking is failing to review and revise notes within 24 hours. Why is this crucial?

• You’ll leave gaps in your understanding, which are easier to fill while the information is still fresh.
• Contradictions may arise due to misunderstandings or missed details while you were trying to keep up.

Imagine having to ask, “Hi, you presented something three months ago, and I’m confused about a part. Can you clarify?” You’d likely prefer to avoid that situation.

• It aids memory retention. The brain tends to discard information it deems unnecessary. To counteract this, revisit your notes regularly.

People boost their memory by reviewing information at intervals. For more insights, check out:

• How to Remember More of What You Learn with Spaced Repetition: A helpful guide on improving memory retention.

Avoid This Second Mistake

Before relying on a note-taking method, practice it alongside your chosen app. Few people master a skill just by reading about it, and note-taking is indeed a skill.

How to do this?

Utilize Google and YouTube. Take notes on a topic from several videos, then conduct a Google search. Can you compile the information from multiple sources coherently? Can you trace it back to its original source?