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The Best Note-Taking Strategies for Students

As much as we don’t want to let go of summer, we have to admit that our heartbeats quicken at the thought of shiny new school supplies. Whether you’re heading off to high school or college, this is the perfect time to reevaluate your study habits and adopt some new tools. To help you prepare, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite note-taking strategies that will help you power through the semester.

Organize Your Notes
Use a separate notebook for each class.
Kokuyo Campus Notebooks come in sets of five, so you can dedicate one notebook per class.
Kokuyo Campus Notebooks come in sets of five, so you can dedicate one notebook per class.
While it may be tempting to cut down on the number of notebooks you bring to school, we recommend using separate notebooks for each class. Dedicated notebooks ensure that you won’t have to waste time searching for the exact information you need while studying: the last thing you want is to flip past cell diagrams while you’re cramming for a history test. We recommend Kokuyo Campus Notebooks because they come in sets of five. Each notebook has a different cover color so you can assign colors to your classes.

If you prefer keeping your notes in a binder, consider using a set of dividers to keep your notes organized.

Incorporate note-taking systems that help you process information.
Ruled Maruman Spiral Note Basic Notebooks have tick marks that make it easy to draw vertical lines so you can follow the Cornell Notes method.
Ruled Maruman Spiral Note Basic Notebooks have tick marks that make it easy to draw vertical lines so you can follow the Cornell Notes method.
One of the best ways to maximize the effectiveness of your note-taking is to follow a system like the Cornell Notes method, which can help you process and remember information better. Draw a vertical line dividing the page in two sections, one slim and one wider. Use the wider column for bulleted notes, and the slim column to write down main points. Once everything’s written down, draw a horizontal line across the page and write a summary of that lesson.

The Ruled Maruman Spiral Note Basic Notebook has tick marks at the top and bottom of the page that make it incredibly easy to draw vertical lines. Don’t forget a ruler to keep your lines neat! We like the Midori Multi Ruler because it’s compact when folded, yet extends to cover the length of a B5 notebook.

Attach index tabs to pages you reference often.
Attach index tabs like the Cluster Japan Pitta Index Tab Sticky Notes to pages you revisit often.
Attach index tabs like the Cluster Japan Pitta Index Tab Sticky Notes to pages you revisit often.
It’s likely that you will learn concepts that are referenced throughout the semester. For example, you might revisit the same math formula as you learn how it’s used in different situations. Use index tabs to tag key concepts in your notes. Cluster Japan Pitta Index Tab Sticky Notes are shaped like index tabs so they’re easy to label. You can also create a key and use different Kokuyo Tack Memo N Quick Index Sticky Note colors to mark repeated concepts.

If you need to draw attention to a specific passage, try Beverly Cocosasu Page Markers. Tear the page marker at the microperforation and use the short end to point directly at a line, then bookmark the page with the long end.

Use different loose leaf sheet styles according to your notes.
Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring Binder Notebooks let you rearrange loose leaf sheets easily, so you can use different page formats as needed.
Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring Binder Notebooks let you rearrange loose leaf sheets easily, so you can use different page formats as needed.
Classes that require sketched diagrams and written notes can feel like they warrant a decision: would you prefer cramped writing on graph paper or slanted charts on lined paper? Thankfully, a notebook like the Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring Binder Notebook ensures you won’t have to compromise. Its easy-to-open rings allow you to arrange the pages inside, so you can use lined or graph paper as needed.
Create summaries and revisit them to refresh your memory.
Write down summaries on Mini B7 Maruman Loose Leaf Papers. They’re similar in size to index cards and can be placed directly in Japanese binders.
Write down summaries on Mini B7 Maruman Loose Leaf Papers. They’re similar in size to index cards and can be placed directly in Japanese binders.
Create summaries or highlight lists for every chapter or section of notes. That way, you can refresh your memory before each class. It’s also a good way to study for a midterm or final exam. Look through the summaries to determine which chapters need more attention.

Summaries can be created on index cards, though they can be difficult to keep organized. These Kokuyo Tack Memo Sticky Notes are large enough to fit a paragraph of text and can be attached directly to the start of a section. If you take notes on loose leaf paper, you can use Mini B7 Maruman Loose Leaf Papers as flash cards. These loose leaf sheets are available in a variety of sheet styles and fit neatly in compatible binders.

Use translucent sticky notes to trace important diagrams.
Stalogy Translucent Sticky Notes ensure you can trace textbook diagrams and put them directly in your notes.
Stalogy Translucent Sticky Notes ensure you can trace textbook diagrams and put them directly in your notes.
Translucent sticky notes let you trace important diagrams from textbooks or class printouts that can be attached directly to your notes. This is a great way to keep important information at your fingertips. Stalogy Translucent Sticky Notes come in two sizes and are even available with gridded sheets. Be sure to use a compatible writing instrument with them. Translucent sticky notes have filmy surfaces, so they work best with ballpoint pens, pencils, and permanent markers.
Draw Attention to Key Concepts
Use multiple colors to color-code your notes.
The Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen includes four ballpoint colors and a mechanical pencil so you can color-code your notes.
The Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen includes four ballpoint colors and a mechanical pencil so you can color-code your notes.
Color-coding is an easy way to draw attention to specific information in your notes. Use different colors for vocabulary terms, important dates, or whatever needs to stick in your memory. A multi pen like the Uni Jetstream 4&1 is a convenient writing instrument because it provides four ballpoint pen colors and a mechanical pencil all in the same pen body—you don’t have to reach for a different pen and risk losing your train of thought. If black, blue, and red inks sound a little boring, you can customize a multi pen so that it has your favorite colors.

However, we do recommend limiting yourself to three or four colors. Using a dozen colors can overwhelm you and make your notes more difficult to parse when you revisit them.

Pinpoint important information with highlighters.
Highlighters like the Kokuyo Mark+ have pastel inks that stand out without straining your eyes.
Highlighters like the Kokuyo Mark+ have pastel inks that stand out without straining your eyes.
When you look over your notes, use a highlighter to highlight parts that need extra review. Be sure to use your highlighters sparingly: overwhelming the page with neon ink makes it more difficult to focus. We like using Kokuyo Mark+ Highlighters because their pastel inks stand out without being fluorescent. Choose from dual highlighters or highlighter and fineliner combinations. Learn more about highlighting strategies in our guide on How to Highlight Effectively.
Sketch out general ideas on a whiteboard.
Use a portable whiteboard like the Gakken Write White Whiteboard Notebook to practice key concepts.
Use a portable whiteboard like the Gakken Write White Whiteboard Notebook to practice key concepts.
Mapping out key concepts on whiteboards with dry erase markers can help you link related ideas, see the big picture, and better understand difficult course material. The Pilot Board Master Whiteboard Marker comes in a variety of colors, is refillable, and even has several tip sizes available. Use different colors to color-code shapes, outlines, arrows, and other icons. Library study rooms usually have whiteboards available for you to use (though you may need to reserve the room). If you don’t have access to a whiteboard, the portable Gakken Write White Whiteboard Notebook ensures you can use a whiteboard whenever you need it.

Our project planning guide isn’t specifically about studying, but we share tips on how to use whiteboards to examine problems and brainstorm solutions that students may find helpful.

Conclusion

We hope these tips will help you become more effective in your studying as you begin this new school year! Do you have study tips that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Shop This Post
Product Name Standout Features Add to Cart
Beverly Cocosasu Page Markers Adorable, handy two-part design Add Items to Cart
Cluster Japan Pitta Index Tab Sticky Notes Large, writable surface Add Items to Cart
Gakken Write White Whiteboard Notebooks Portable Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Campus Dividers Writable cardstock dividers Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Campus Loose Leaf Papers Mix and match graph, dot grid, and lined paper Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Campus Notebooks Set of slim notebooks Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring Binder Notebooks Easy to add paper, lightweight Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Mark+ Highlighters Highlighters and fineliners with multiple colors Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Tack Memo Sticky Notes Durable adhesive Add Items to Cart
Maruman Easy to Write Loose Leaf Paper Mini-sized loose leaf sheets compatible with Japanese binders Add Items to Cart
Maruman Ruled Spiral Note Basic Notebooks Durable, available in two sizes Add Items to Cart
Midori Standard Multi Rulers Foldable, functions as protractor Add Items to Cart
Pilot Board Master Whiteboard Markers Refillable, available in variety of sizes and colors Add Items to Cart
Stalogy Translucent Sticky Notes See-through Add Items to Cart
Uni Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pens Multiple ballpoint colors and mechanical pencil in one pen body Add Items to Cart


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