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Downloadable guides
Looking for a new note-taking strategy? Two-column notes can help you organize important information efficiently.
Learn how to become a strategic note-taker with this SALT Center guide, including topics like:
- How to prepare for note-taking before a lecture
- What to take notes of during a lecture
- What to do with your notes after the lecture
- Tips for using a smart pen
Tips for better note-taking
- Prepare to listen; pick a seat with the fewest distractions
- Format your notebook/laptop for note-taking
- Think about how information will be organized/presented
- Refer to the syllabus or the lecture's opening slide(s) for guidance
- Remember past terminology, main points
- Connect the topic with past associations
- Is it cause/effect, comparison/contrast, explanation, etc?
- Alternate your words with the lecture’s words
- Listen for “note the following,” or “this is important”
- Use mnemonics
- Correct any inaccuracies that you can detect immediately