CGTC FAQs: Academic Support

Taking good notes in college is important for retaining and understanding course material. Effective note-taking helps students stay organized, review key concepts, and prepare for exams. There are many different note-taking methods, and each student may find a particular approach that works best for them based on their unique learning style. It’s important to research and experiment with different techniques to find the one that help you understand and remember the material better.

I've included links to a few popular methods to help get you started!

• Cornell Method: This method divides the page into three sections: cues, notes, and summary. During class, take notes in the largest section. Afterward, write key concepts or questions in the cue section, and summarize the material at the bottom. This method helps with organization and review.

• Outline Method: This method uses a hierarchical structure to organize notes. Main topics are listed as headings, and supporting details are indented underneath. This approach helps you clearly organize information by importance and relationships between concepts.

• Charting Method: The Charting Method involves organizing notes into columns based on categories, such as dates, events, or topics. Each column represents a different aspect of the information, making it easy to compare and contrast key points. This method is especially helpful for subjects that involve lots of facts, dates, or processes that need to be grouped together.

• Mapping Method: The Mapping Method uses diagrams to visually organize information, with a central idea placed in the middle and related concepts branching out in a radial pattern. This method helps to visually connect ideas and shows the relationships between concepts, making it great for visual learners and subjects that involve complex connections.

• Color-Coding Method: This method involves using different colors to highlight or write different types of information (e.g., definitions in one color, important concepts in another). Color-coding helps make key information stand out and aids in organizing notes visually for easier review.

• Sentence Method: In this method, you write down each new piece of information as a separate sentence. This is helpful for fast-paced lectures where you need to capture as much information as possible, though it may require more time to organize and review later.

• Sketchnoting: This method combines words with drawings, diagrams, and symbols to visually represent information. Sketchnoting can be especially useful for visual learners, as it enhances memory by connecting concepts with images and creative representations.

• Flow Method: In this method, you create a continuous flow of information by connecting concepts with arrows, lines, and other visual elements. It’s useful for understanding relationships between ideas and helps students visualize how topics connect in a more fluid, dynamic way.

Reference List: 

[APSU Writing Center]. (2023, November 15). Charting Note Taking Method [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAjXsUpYaIE

[APSU Writing Center]. (2023, November 13). Flow Note Taking Method [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kZjl4RwtrQ

[CGTC Library]. (2020, September 1). Notetaking - ASC Workshop [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aQuiQtCIuE 

[Learning Strategies Center Cornell]. (2019, December 10). How to Use Cornell Notes [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX-xshA_0m8 

[Sketchnote School]. (2024, March 1). Getting Started with Visual Notetaking (Complete Guide) [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h_Jy-MljyA 

[Sticky App]. (2022, August 31). The Sentence Method For Note-taking | Sticky.App [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMsc0GpfeZA

[UTM RGASC Academic Skills]. (2018, May 29). Note-taking Training - Mapping Method [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i4xDJCsEhU

[UTM RGASC Academic Skills]. (2018, May 29). Note-taking Training - Outline Method [Video]. Youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjcOl82EFMg