Herts Study Series: Taking Notes 101 by Erum Bibi

Let me be real for a second: I used to be terrible at taking notes. Like, embarrassingly bad. I would either scribble so fast my handwriting looked like a doctor’s prescription, or I would be so focused on making my notes look pretty (highlighters, fancy titles, colour-coded doodles) that I completely missed half of what the lecturer was actually saying. The result? A pile of “notes” that were either unreadable or useless.

Sound familiar? Yeah, we have all been there.

Over time, though, I figured out some hacks that actually work for me, not just to survive lectures and seminars, but to walk away with notes that I can actually use when exams come around. So, if you have ever found yourself torn between listening, writing, and panicking, here is how I learned to balance it all.

Stop Writing Every. Single. Word.

I used to think my job was to be a human photocopier. If the lecturer said it, I would write it, word for word. And guess what? I never remembered a thing.

Then, I developed the habit of listening for key ideas instead. Big themes, repeated points, examples that get emphasised, those are the golden nuggets. If your lecturer suddenly switches from monotone to an excited voice? Write that down. That is usually, but not always, an exam gold.

Find Your System (Spoiler: There is No One-Size-Fits-All)

Some people swear by the Cornell Method, others love mind maps, and some just freestyle. Me? I mix and match. For theory-heavy topics, I like the Cornell style because it keeps things neat: notes on one side, quick summaries on the other. For brainstorming seminars, I go messy, arrows, doodles, stars, whatever makes sense in the moment.

Use Shortcuts (Future You Will Thank You)

I invented my own shorthand language. “↔” means “leads to,” “∆” means “change,” and “↑” means “increase.” Suddenly, I was writing less but capturing more. I also ditched full sentences; keywords were enough.

And honestly? Do not be afraid to make your notes look weird. They are not for anyone else, just you. I once drew a ghost next to a psychology definition because the lecturer linked it to paranormal beliefs. Silly? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely.

Recordings: The Secret Backup

Most lectures are recorded and uploaded almost immediately after class, which is such a big help. If you miss something, you can always go back and listen later. But here is the thing: I still prefer to actively listen and write points in the moment, because writing helps me process the material right there and then.

If I relied only on recordings, I would procrastinate, so my approach is simple: jot down quick notes in class, focus on main points, and if something does not make sense (or I zone out for 30 seconds, it happens), I flag it and check the recording later.

Review Sooner, Not Later

Confession: I used to chuck my notebook in my bag after class and never look at it again until panic season (aka exam week). Huge mistake.

Then, since the beginning of the second semester, I started spending 10 minutes the same day rewriting or highlighting the messy parts while they were still fresh in my head. Did not need to be perfect, but that little bit of effort made it so much easier to revise later.

Make It Fun

Notes do not have to be boring. Use doodles, colour, or even silly mnemonics. For example, I once remembered the stages of Piaget’s theory because I made up a ridiculous rap about it. (No, I will not perform it for you.) The point is: the more personal and creative your notes, the more they will stick.

Final Thought

At the end of the day, note-taking is about balance. You want to listen, engage, and capture enough to jog your memory later. Do not chase perfection; it is not about having Pinterest-worthy notes; it is about having useful ones.