How to take notes Critical reading techniques

If you're given a handout before or during a face-to-face session, use this as the framework for taking notes.

Revisiting your notes helps you learn the material and prepare for assignments. It helps you 'pull together' all the different ideas you have recorded, so you can make cross-links with earlier study.

What to avoid when taking notes

• Don't attempt to write everything down, just reflect the main themes. Aim to get the gist of the topic or the main points.
• Try not to get flustered if you miss something out or come across something you don't understand. Use a question mark to highlight the point in your notes and come back to it later.
• Don't lose track of your purpose in making the notes in the first place - keep focused.
• Don't be concerned about whether anyone else could make sense of your notes, you are the only person who needs to read them.
• Don't try to remember everything you read or heard in a tutorial session, it can't be done.
• Don't forget to revisit and organise your notes and get them systematically arranged so that you can find the information you need when you want it.
• Don't forget to check you have complete references when you revisit your notes, this will save you a lot of time later on if you want to cite particular sources of evidence.
• Don't be afraid of trying different ways of taking notes - try lists, colours, bullet points, underlining, highlighting and mind-mapping. Experimenting with various methods helps you discover the technique that suits you.
• Don't take notes all the time - spend some time at tutorials engaging with the tutor and other students or just thinking about what you're doing.

Last updated 9 months ago