How to Take Notes at University: Master Lectures with Ease

One of the big differences between school and university is the way you learn. Lectures are the main form of teaching at the majority of UK universities, and learning how to take notes is a vital part of your early days as a student.

If you’ve ever left a lecture wondering what just happened, with an empty notepad to boot, you’re not alone. Note taking is a skill that takes time to master, but with the right techniques you can have those pages filled in no time. Today, we’ll be giving you the run down on how to take notes at university, so you transform your learning experience from passive attendance to active understanding.

Why Your Notes Matter

Taking down notes isn’t about rewriting everything your lecturer says. It’s about capturing meaning, context, and connections. Think of your notes as a personal guidebook that can turn a chaotic hour of teaching into a a manageable chunk of information that’s ready for revision.

Taking notes down poorly can lead to:

• Gaps in your understanding when it’s time to revise.
• Wasted hours tying to figure out what you’ve written weeks ago.
• Increased stress during exam season.

On the other hand, a structured approach gives you:

• A base to start further research from.
• Clarity on what your lectures cover.
• More confidence walking into exams.

So, how do you get to that position?

1. Choose the Right Note Taking Method

There’s no way we can tell you that there’s a universally ‘better’ method than any other. The trick is to match your approach to the content and your own learning style, Here are three tried and tested systems that have been proven to work for different courses:

The Cornell Method

Ideal for: Analytical subjects such as history, law, or politics.

How it works:

• Divide your page into three sections. Notes, cues, and summary.
• Use the main section for lecture notes.
• Jot down any questions or prompts for essays in the cues column.
• At the end of each lecture, summarise the key points in the final section.

Why it works:

You’re not just copying down information blindly, you’re reviewing and reflecting on your learnings as you go.

The Outline Method

Ideal for: Lectures that follow a linear structure.

Use bullet points and headings to organise content like this:

• Topic name
• Sub-headings
• Supporting detail
• Example

Why it works:

Some lectures can progress really quickly, this method helps you keep things organised and easy to scan later on.

The Mind Mapping Method

Ideal for: Creative subjects and visual learners.

This is a method that allows you to draw connections, images, and symbols as you learn. Let ideas branch out and inter-connect naturally until you have a full view of your lecture.

Why it works: 

This method mirrors the inside of your mind, which is great for students who prefer visual prompts when handling complex concepts.

2. Listen for the Details

Effective note-takers listen with intent. Your aim isn’t transcription, it’s deciphering what’s important. Notes are essentially spoken word or writing that’s been adapted to form useful digestible information.

What to capture:

• Definitions and formulas.
• Examples and case studies.
• Specific mentions of exam content.
• Repeated or underlined points.
• Personal insights from your lecturers.

What to Skip:

• Random tangents or stories.
• Exact wordings unless it’s a quote.
• Irrelevant comments or questions.

Lecturers may often deliver quickly, but their most important points will be in textbooks and likely on screen too.

3. Use, Don’t Abuse Technology

Typing is faster. Apps are convenient, but studies consistently show that handwritten notes improve memory retention. Still, tech has its place if used smartly.

Try this hybrid approach:

• Record the lecture to revisit complex sections.
• Use a tablet or stylus to draw diagrams digitally.
• Apps like Notion, Obsidian, or OneNote allow tagging, linking, and search.

Just avoid the trap of mindlessly typing everything without procession. If you’re using a laptop, disable notifications.

4. Make Time to Revisit Lectures

Notes are the summary of a lecture, but it’s never a bad idea to revisit each of them at the end of the day.

Set aside 15 minutes a night to:

• Refine your notes if they’re messy.
• Add any diagrams or equations you missed.
• Summarise the key points in your own words.

This short review process helps cement what you’ve already learned and ensure it stays fresh in your mind. It’s also the best time to spot any gaps in your knowledge so you aren’t caught out down the line.

Extra Tip: We’ll be adding more student study guides on our blog throughout the academic year.

5. Before Your Next Lecture

If you’ve just been turning up week after week while hoping information goes in, chances are you’re missing out on plenty of crucial snippets. A little preparation for next week goes a long way.

Do this ahead of class:

• Revisit last week’s lecture to see what’s coming next.
• Write down any questions or confusing points in time for seminars.
• Open a clear page in your notebook, adding the title and date of the session.

Your Notes, Your Power

Good notes don’t just help you study better. They change how you learn.

When you take notes with intention, you stay alert. You start to ask smarter questions. You walk into exams not hoping for the best but knowing what you know.

So try different methods. Make mistakes. Find what fits. Your degree isn’t just about passing, it’s about building skills that will serve you far beyond graduation.

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