tips on note taking for college students

For instance, studies indicate that note-taking improves student learning during lectures and while reading (Kiewra, 2002 Chang & Ku, 2014). In the years since, other studies have corroborated Crawford’s conclusions in a number of ways. He determined that students who took notes performed better, that reviewing notes before a quiz was essential for success, and that effective organization of notes improved students’ test scores. Crawford studied in 1925 whether note-taking improved college students’ performance on quizzes. The benefits of note-taking were realized nearly 100 years ago. A few of the key takeaways from the existing research are outlined below. It indicates that students who understand how to take good notes benefit from doing so, and those who do not take notes are disadvantaged. There is nearly a century’s worth of research regarding the relationship between student learning and student note-taking during lectures. Good note-taking is a skill that we must nurture and develop in our students, however.

It keeps students engaged and focused, helping them to translate and adapt new information in their own words. The importance of note-taking is generally recognized by higher-education faculty. Simply jotting down stray data points that may nor may not be included on an upcoming exam may help with rote memorization and review but may not lead to long-term retention.

Many of us have heard this question posed as students wonder aloud whether a new point or idea should be included among their notes.

Tips on note taking for college students