There's no single best way to take notes — it depends on the subject, the lesson format, and how you learn best. This cheatsheet covers six proven methods so you can pick the right one for each situation.
1. Cornell Method
Divide your page into three sections: a narrow left column for cues and questions, a wide right column for notes, and a summary section at the bottom.
┌──────────┬──────────────────────┐
│ CUES │ NOTES │
│ │ │
│ Key │ Main ideas, details, │
│ questions│ examples from the │
│ & terms │ lecture or reading │
│ │ │
├──────────┴──────────────────────┤
│ SUMMARY │
│ Write a brief summary in your │
│ own words after the lesson. │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
- Best for: Lectures, textbook reading, revision
- How to review: Cover the right column, use the cues on the left to test yourself
- Why it works: Combines note-taking with built-in self-testing
2. Mind Mapping
Start with a central idea in the middle of the page and branch out with related subtopics, details, and connections. Use colours and simple images to make it visual.
- Best for: Brainstorming, planning essays, topics with many connections
- How to create: Write the main topic in the centre → draw branches for subtopics → add details to each branch → use colours to group related ideas
- Why it works: Mirrors how the brain naturally connects ideas; easy to see the big picture
Mind maps work especially well for subjects like biology (body systems), history (causes and effects), and English (character analysis).
3. Outlining
Organise your notes in a hierarchical structure using headings, subheadings, and bullet points. Each level of indentation represents more detail.
1. Main Topic
a. Subtopic
- Detail
- Detail
b. Subtopic
- Detail
2. Main Topic
a. Subtopic
- Best for: Structured subjects (science, law, history), textbook chapters
- Strengths: Clear hierarchy, easy to scan, good for sequential information
- Weakness: Less useful for subjects with complex relationships between ideas
4. Charting Method
Create a table or grid where each column represents a category and each row represents an item you're comparing. Fill in the cells as you learn.
- Best for: Comparing and contrasting (historical events, scientific elements, literary characters)
- How to use: Draw columns for each attribute you want to compare → add a row for each item → fill in details
- Why it works: Forces you to identify key features and makes differences immediately visible
5. Sentence Method
Write each new piece of information on a separate line as a complete sentence. Number each sentence for reference. Simple and fast.
- Best for: Fast-paced lectures where you need to capture everything quickly
- Strengths: Very fast to write, captures lots of detail, minimal organisation needed in the moment
- Weakness: Requires time after the lesson to organise and highlight key points
After a lecture, go through your sentence notes and highlight the most important points. This review step is what makes the method effective.
6. Flow Notes
Rather than writing down what the teacher says word for word, write ideas in your own words and draw arrows to show how they connect. Focus on understanding, not transcribing.
- Best for: Conceptual subjects, understanding relationships, active listeners
- How to use: Write key ideas as short phrases → draw arrows and lines to show connections → add your own thoughts and questions
- Why it works: Forces you to process and understand information as you hear it, rather than just copying
Comparison Table
| Method | Best For | Speed | Review Quality |
|---|
| Cornell | Lectures, textbooks | Medium | Excellent (built-in self-test) |
| Mind Mapping | Brainstorming, connections | Medium | Good (visual overview) |
| Outlining | Structured topics | Medium | Good (clear hierarchy) |
| Charting | Comparisons | Slow | Excellent (organised) |
| Sentence | Fast lectures | Fast | Needs post-processing |
| Flow Notes | Conceptual understanding | Slow | Good (deep processing) |
Match your method to the situation. You don't have to pick one method for everything. Use Cornell for revision-heavy subjects, mind maps for essay planning, and the sentence method when a lecture moves fast. The best method is the one you'll actually use consistently.