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What are the best studying and note taking habits to have in college?

I am going to college next year and I've never been the type that needs to take notes or study. I know it will be a lot harder, so I need good studying and note taking tips.
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Thank you comment icon I never really studied in high school, but college is definitely a different ball game. For my finals or major tests, I usually just rewrite my notes or the PowerPoint slides from the class until I feel comfortable enough to talk about the material casually with my friends. I'm not saying that's the only way to study, but I've found it to be an effective method. You should definitely take time to figure out what works for you! Ethan
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Nicole’s Answer

Hi Kennedee Y. I see that you posted this question a little while ago so I hope my answer to you (or others who may read this response) is still helpful.

One additional tip that I hope will be helpful...be honest with yourself when there is a concept that you are finding difficult to grasp. That internal honesty can mean the difference between getting the additional help you need right away vs waiting. Waiting can mean that you pile additional learnings on top of a base of material that isn't quite clear to you...and that can be a hard road especially if your classes are such that the next class assumes you have learned the necessary concepts of the previous class. In short, don't wait to ask for help. In a studying and learning environment, I don't think there is such a thing as over learning or over communicating in order to ensure that you understand the relevance of your studies. For most of us, college isn't free so ensure that you are getting the value intended by making sure you are learning in away that works for you.

Best of luck to you!
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Matthew’s Answer

Hey Kennedee,


Great question. There are multiple strategies on note taking -- try to find one method that works well for you and be consistent/diligent in whatever style you choose.


Some things to keep in mind that will help your note taking

  • Technology is your friend!! There are many great apps (Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Google Docs) to keep you organized and efficient. When I was in college, I would take notes collaboratively with my friends (make sure you invite only people who you trust and who would actively contribute) on Google Docs to share notes and study together
  • Don't go it alone -- make friends in class and find a group of people that you can study with! It'll make the experience of studying and note taking a lot more enjoyable
  • Attend Class / Do all the class readings if you can! Notes are meant to enhance and reinforce your understanding. This is secondary to actually being present in class, learning and paying attention to your professor, and doing all you can to prepare for the class (read materials!). We are all busy and we may not have time to do all the prep work necessary, but at the end of the day the more you invest in attending class, do all the readings, etc then the less you will rely on Notes and use them just to reinforce you understanding.


Google is your friend! Lots of strategies out there: https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/college-life/college-note-taking-tips/

Matthew recommends the following next steps:

Attend class / try to do as much of the classwork and readings
Use technology - electronic notes are more efficient and organized. Apps like Evernote and OneNote are your friend :)
Take notes as a group! Share your notes and collaborate with others
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G. Mark’s Answer

There's a technique that I've found better than traditional note-taking. It's called "Mind Mapping". Essentially you start with doodles and branch out with lines connecting related concepts to greater and greater detail from the center. We all doodle. Our minds are vision-oriented. The organization of the picture you end up with really represents how concepts are related. Pictures are easier to remember than lists, by far. They are more entertaining to look at and to create, and capture whatever reaction you have to some bit of information no matter how apparently silly, and silly is also a good way to remember dull things.

Audio recordings are okay, but tedious to review. Large notebooks, the same. Mind Maps also give you a great way to look at your notes later and see new relationships between concepts you've recorded. That "Ah-ha!" moment is also a great way to burn and idea into your memory. And studying those pictures is far less boring than looking at dry, colorless sets or lists of words.

Remember to use lots of pictures and colors. It's the way your brain works, anyway.
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