Taking Notes Like a Pro: A Guide to the Best Note-Taking Methods 📝
Discover how to use Notion to take more effective notes and transform your learning game!
Promote your business to 2.5k+ subscribers by clicking here!
Sponsoring newsletters, like mine, is a great way to reach engaged and targeted audiences. It will build up your brand!
Today at a glance:
At the end of this article you will know different note-taking methods to help you take better notes and learn faster.
The methods included are:
Cornell Note-Taking Method
Feynman Technique
Progressive Summarization by Tiago Forte
Outline Method
Boxing Method
Synthetic Notes.
Each method has specific use cases and quick tips to make the note-taking process easier. And I share when to use each method to get the most out of them!
A Framework:
As a Productivity Nerd 🤓 and avid learner, I take a 30-minute course every single morning on different topics and platforms, according to what my life and business needs. This is the future of education and I highly recommend this habit to everyone!
I have been exploring various note-taking methods to optimize my learning process. To my delight, there are many note-taking templates in the Official Notion Template Gallery. In fact, I recently submitted one myself, and it was accepted! (I'll talk more about it at the end of this article.)
That's why it is valuable to explain the best note-taking methods out there. By doing so, you can unleash the full potential of any note-taking app or Notion templates you use.
Firstly, it's important to remember that not all note-taking methods are created equal. You need to know when to use each one of them to maximize their effectiveness.
So let´s get into it:
🎓 The Cornell Note-Taking Method
It is a simple yet effective system that involves dividing your note-taking page into three sections: a section for the main notes, a section for cues or questions, and a summary section. By doing so, you not only capture the information but also create a reference system that helps you review and remember the information more effectively.
When to use it:
Use this when you need to quickly summarize and review important information from lectures, meetings, or other sources.
A Quick Tip:
After the lecture or reading, write a brief summary of the main points in the "summary" area at the bottom of the page.
🧠 The Feynman Technique
Named after the famous physicist Richard Feynman, is a method of learning that involves simplifying complex concepts and explaining them in plain language. To use this technique, write down the concept you want to learn on the top of the page and then explain it as if you were teaching it to someone else. This helps you identify areas where you may have gaps in your understanding, making it easier to fill those gaps and reinforce your knowledge.
When to use it:
Use this when you want to deeply understand and internalize complex concepts and ideas.
A Quick Tip:
Explain the concept as if you were teaching it to a 5 year old
📝 The Progressive Summarization by Tiago Forte
This method involves gradually summarizing information to make it easier to digest and remember. To use this method, start by taking comprehensive notes and then highlight or bold the most important points. Then, go back and summarize the highlighted parts in a shorter paragraph. Keep repeating this process until you have a condensed version that captures the most essential information.
When to use it:
Use this when you want to consolidate and refine your notes over time, gradually distilling them down to their most essential elements.
A Quick Tip:
Do not forget that the third layer underlines only the most essential information.
📑 The Outline Method
This one involves creating a hierarchical structure for your notes. Start with the main topic and then create sub-topics and sub-sub-topics. This method is ideal for organizing complex information and making it easier to review and remember.
When to use it:
Use this when you need to organize information in a hierarchical or structured manner, making it easier to follow and review.
A Quick Tip:
Leave space between topics to add additional information or make connections later.
📦 The Boxing Method
It involves drawing a box around important pieces of information. This helps to separate it from other less important information and makes it easier to spot and remember.
When to use it:
Use this when you need to visually separate and categorize different types of information, such as important points, definitions, or examples.
A Quick Tip:
Use arrows or lines to connect related ideas or concepts.
🔍 Synthetic Notes
This system involves summarizing information in your own words and using visuals such as diagrams and mind maps. This method encourages active learning and helps to identify connections and patterns between different pieces of information.
When to use it:
Use this when you want to synthesize and integrate multiple sources of information into a cohesive whole, helping you to better understand and retain complex topics.
A Quick Tip:
Be selective about what you include in your notes and focus on the most important information.
📚 Finally, the SQL2R Method
It involves taking notes in the form of questions, using the SQL2R formula: Situation, Question, List, Learn, Recall. This method encourages you to actively engage with the information and apply it to real-life situations.
When to use it:
Use this when you need to quickly and efficiently summarize and condense large amounts of information, such as when studying for exams or reviewing research materials.
A Quick Tip:
Review your notes regularly and use them to create flashcards or summaries to help you remember the information.
Taking better notes can be a game-changer when it comes to learning and retaining!
By using effective note-taking systems such as the ones we've learned here, you can improve your note-taking skills and accelerate your learning.
Give these methods a try and see how they can transform the way you take notes and learn.
A Tweet:
A Tool:
Now that you have a good understanding of these note-taking methods, it's time to put them into practice!
Learning Box is a Notion lecture notes template designed to help you use these methods effectively.
The best part? It includes ready-to-use templates of each method in these article, making it easy for you to get started and start seeing results right away!
The best of all is the FREE version now includes the Feynman Technique with full instructions and a ready-to-use template. So try it now!
