Note Taking Tutorial

This is my step by step tutorial for how I take my pretty, artistic, and eye-catching notes. Check out my last post to see what tools I use to take my notes.

Hopefully I can inspire some of you and maybe even motivate academic success.



Before You Begin

Get all your supplies ready. I like to arrive to class a few minutes early so I can be all set as soon as class starts. Here is my post on my favorite note taking supplies.

The notes are from my forensic psychology class, which I color coded red-orange. Each of my classes have their own designated zebra midliner color.

I like this color coding system because it is simple enough to not confuse me, but organized enough to benefit my brain.

Because I designed this tutorial when I was not physically in class, I will not show you my method by copying over some notes from earlier in the semester that were not properly formatted "Rivi notes".

"Rivi Notes"

My personal note taking style, which I will refer to as "Rivi Notes", combines aspects of the Cornell note taking method, outline notes, and inspiration from Pinterest and tumblr.

Step by Step Tutorial 

Step 1: Take your zebra midliner pen and use the thick side to draw a line down the side of your page. I use the red line on my binder paper as a guide.

Step 1

Step 2: Label this section "key terms". (I don't label this section every time, but it's a nice reminder when starting out). This is when you will put key terms, topics, and phrases. 

Step 2

Step 3: Draw a line along the top area of your paper. I use the first line on my binder paper as a guide. This will separate the notes you take in class from the notes about this page of notes. Hold tight-- I'll explain.

Step 3

Step 4: Title the page with the name of the class. In my case, Forensic Psychology.

Step 4

Step 5: Add the date to the top corner of the page. This will help you reference back when studying for exams, shuffling your notes, etc.

Step 5

Step 6: Add the page number under the date. This seems strange but it's important. Sometimes, one class period will take 5, 6, or even 7 pages of notes. So even if I have the dates in order, the notes can get shuffled within that order. Also, if you choose to scan them like I do, it is also beneficial for keeping them in order and organized. 

Step 6

Step 7: Start taking notes! That was a good amount of prep work but you'll be a pro in no time. The notes from this tutorial are being copied from older notes, and not from a lecture, but the process is the same.

Step 7

Step 8: 

a) Write key terms/major topics and questions on one line

b) Add bullet points for clarification and longer descriptions underneath.

Step 8a

Step 8b

Step 8 (completed)

Step 9: With the thin side of your zebra midliner, underline the most important points on that page. I will do this either after class, or during any longer tangents/anecdotes not requiring me to take notes.

Step 9

Step 10: Copy any underlined key terms over to your key terms section.

Note: you can underline key phrases and questions that may be important, but not concise enough for your key terms section. The color underlining helps pull your focus to the most important points on the page.

Step 10

Step 10

The underlines help point you to the main topics and terms. Within that there will be specific terms you may want to memorize or look back on-- those are what go in your key terms section.

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I hope this photo tutorial helped you, or at least gave you a glimpse into my study processes in college life.

From strength to strength,

Rivi

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