What is note-taking?

At its core, note-taking is the practice of capturing key information in a way that’s organized, concise, and meaningful to you. But at university, it’s more than just writing down what your lecturer says. It’s about actively engaging with content, filtering out what’s most important, and making connections that will help you understand and remember the material—skills that are crucial for success in your studies and your future career.

Why should you bother with note-taking?

As a student, good notes can be your secret weapon. They help you stay focused during lectures and make it easier to study for exams, and actively thinking about what you hear can even boost your critical thinking skills.

Plus, your lecturers will love you for it. Engaged notetakers ask better questions and contribute more meaningfully to class discussions. Your active participation might later lead to research opportunities or glowing recommendations from your lecturer.

Beyond university, note-taking is a valuable skill in the workplace. Employers value people who can extract important details from meetings, distill complex information into actionable points, and communicate ideas clearly. These are skills that can set you apart in the business world.

What will you learn in this module?

This short, interactive module will guide you through the essentials of effective note-taking:

• Ch2. Importance Why note-taking matters: Discover the benefits of good note-taking and understand the impact of digital versus handwritten notes on your brain.
• Ch3. Focus What to focus on: Learn how to distinguish between key points and details, spot signals from your lecturers, and personalize your notes to suit your learning style.
• Ch4. Effectiveness How to take effective notes: Explore proven note-taking methods, like Cornell, charting, and mind mapping, and understand how to apply these techniques in real-world scenarios.
• Ch5. AI use Using AI in note-taking: Find out how AI tools can (and can’t) help you with note-taking and learn ethical and effective ways to use them.

You will need about 1 hour to complete this module. It is designed to be hands-on, with plenty of activities, quizzes, and opportunities to test out what you’ve learned. By the end, you’ll have a set of strategies that work for you, both at university and in your future career.