Q&A for How to Take Notes Quickly

When you are in a classroom and are taking notes, be sure to write anything the teacher/professor writes. If they put it on the board, it was important enough for you to see, so it's important enough for you to remember. Listen carefully for things they repeat throughout the content of the lecture. Make sure you focus on large-scale concepts instead of the tiny details.

You can first listen to the lecture given by the teacher and then write down the notes because that's when you'll understand what it means, or else you'll be completely blank even if you take effective notes.

Your eyes aren't listening. Write what you hear; there's no need to look at the teacher when taking notes.

If you can't read your handwriting when you write in cursive, don't take notes in cursive. If you already did this, ask a classmate if you can borrow their notes.

You sometimes have to find your own personal shortcuts. I abbreviate a lot, but I also make flow charts. Your hands won't necessarily move faster, but you'll be writing less and your notes will be more effective.

Even though the class is more difficult, your note-taking concepts should stay the same. Yes, the things that you need emphasis on may increase, but you will have to write extra bullet points under your main heading. If you don't have enough time, then you can write a little bit of it and then finish your notes later, like right after the class is over when the topic is still fresh in your head.

Yes, you may, as long as your professor/teacher allows it.

If the battery runs out on the laptop you are using, try to find a place to charge it. If you can't charge the laptop, ask someone else if you can use their laptop if they are not using it. You can also switch to written notes if all else fails.