Note Taking

Note taking is an effective way for a student to remember what was learnt and it is far by noted as one of the most essential things to do while at a lecture, a class or anywhere important. In fact there are several ways of note taking that could help:

1. Cornell's Note 
The Cornell system was introduced by Walter Park and it is a effective way of using a page to arrange your work in a methodical and understandable manner.

(http://homeworkhelpblog.com/the-cornell-note-taking-system/)

As mentioned in the diagram above, the page is divided into three sections. The Cues section, were the main ideas are jotted down after class or during review. The notes section which is the main body were the lecture notes, using symbols or abbreviations are noted down during a lecture. And the Summary section at the bottom of the page were the summarized version of the notes are written down for furthur reference. 

The notes section could be further divided into sections that would help making note taking easier.

• Outlining method 

This is a method of separating your work under headings and subheadings accordingly. 

The layout of such is as mentioned below:

Title or Topic  
I. Main topics will be the main headings ( to the left side of the paper near the margin)  
   A. Major sub-topics (indented and subordinate to the preceding heading)         1. Minor sub-topic (indented under A)         2. Minor sub-topic (indented under A)             a. Detail (under 2)             b. Detail  
B. Major sub-topic (indented the same as major sub-topic A)     1. Minor sub-topic        a. Detail (under 1)        b. Detail  
And this could be further continued under the mentioned layout.

• Charting method

Furthermore the charting could also be used in order to gain an effective outcome of note taking. 
This is a method of jotting down important information for reports, articles, journals and other areas were a wide range of information could be found, under rows and columns. 

Below is an example of a used charting method: 

(www.montgomerycollege.edu)

Recommended Procedure:

1. Read texts diagonally and find the most relevant, theories or concepts

2. Make a matrix of the most relevant theories and concepts found in step 1

3. Sort the theories and concepts from the most important to the least important and remove those unnecessary details.

4. Write.

(http://edutechWiki.unige.ch/en/Note_taking)

The Sentence Method could also be used to take down notes, this is a method of listening to the lecturer and noting down essential information in sentences for further reference.

2. The Mind mapping method 

This is a effective rather attractive way of note-taking and most students prefer this method since it is more enjoyable. It is the method of using diagrams, shapes and colors to record information.
The below video shows how mind mapping is done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRFn1U3jvCw

Overall, all methods are effectively used, but as for my liking I find mind mapping and Cornell's note more interesting and effective