Note taking is an important part of studying in which one size doesn’t fit all. Every student has a different learning style and hence a different way of making study notes makes sense. Before you determine your style of efficiently making study notes it is important to find out what is your style of learning. The four main learning styles are – 

• Visual learning
• Auditory learning
• Kinesthetic/ Tactile learning
• Read/ Write learning

There are many ways of taking notes but some styles work better than others for a student. But is note taking really that important? What purpose does it solve? Let us first understand the importance of note taking and the objectives of successful study notes.

• Ensures that you understand and write down what the teacher is saying in class.
• Requires you to think what you are writing.
• Helps you to make connections between the topics.
• Serves as a review material after the class or even later.

Characteristics of Good Study Notes

• Easy to understand and learn.
• Saves your time. 
• Contains important ideas of class lecture and book.
• It has data for exam preparation in proper sequence.
• It contains important extracts from different books.
• It demonstrates how to write your answer in exam.
• It can be easily revised multiple times.

Now let’s take a look at different learning styles and the method of making study notes related to each of them.

1. Note Taking Methods for Visual Learners

Visual learners understand the concepts by seeing them. They use props like images, graphics, diagrams, shapes, colors and maps for learning visually. Visual learners are excellent at memory recall, organizing the information and remembering the images. 

The best note taking method for visual learners uses images, colors and maps. Properly organized notes that are color coded work best for these learners. A great example of this is mind map strategy. This method allows the student to make connections between the ideas and then organize it in a way that makes sense to you. It can contain doodles, colors and shapes to help in memory recall. 

A great tip for visual learners for taking study notes is to make great use of colors. Highlighters and pens of different colors are a great way to achieve this. Also, ear marking the pages with colored strips of post-its can be a great idea for memory recall. 

2. Note Taking Method for Auditory Learners

Auditory learners are able to understand and grab the information in a better way by hearing it. These learners prefer to study the information by listening to it. Auditory learners are masters at explaining the ideas verbally, solving the problems by talking about them, and following verbal instructions. 

The best study notes taking strategies for auditory learners are those that will help them to listen and then repeat the information and concepts. A good method, if possible, is to audio record the class lecture. This will let you listen in the class and also later through the recorded audio. 

Another effective note taking strategy is speaking out aloud the chapter or information and simultaneously recording it. This way you can self-explain the details as you like for future reference. You can use the recording done multiple times later at varied locations as per your convenience like in bus, walking, doing chores, etc. and use the services of assignment provider to learn the proper way of taking the notes.  

If audio recording is not possible then the learners can use the strategy of first listening and then writing the gathered information later. This will require the students to first listen and absorb the information completely, gather their thoughts and then write the summary accordingly. 

3. Note Taking Method for Kinesthetic/ Tactile Learners

Tactile learners are brilliant at understanding and learning while moving and doing. These learners are the category of students that perform best by utilizing ‘hands-on’ technique of learning. The kinesthetic learners are excellent at 

• Understanding the body gestures and body language. 
• Can replicate the actions after doing it once, also called as Motor memory.
• Able to understand the big picture. 

The best study notes taking strategies are those that include some kind of movement and engagement. Writing notes on flash cards is a great method that works for tactile learners. The note taking session must include regular breaks to release the energy and this can be learned with the help of assignment writing help professionals. Some ideas for break include stress ball squeezing, chewing gum, tapping foot, and walking around from time to time. 

For tactile learners, taking study notes on laptop also works great. The typing act is great to keep you moving and take down study notes.

4. Note Taking Method for Read/ Write Learners

Read/ write learners can be considered the traditional type of learners that read to learn the information. These types of learners prefer to write and then read the printed form of information. The read/ write type of learners are masters at:

• Organizing the relevant information into systematic lists.
• Remembering the information that they have written down.
• Conveying the information in a better way through writing.

As mentioned earlier, these learners can be considered the traditional variety of learners because they like to write the detailed and complete thoughts in the notes that are arranged neatly and organized in headings and sub-headings format.

One of the most successful study note taking strategy for read/ write learners is the Sentence Method. It incorporates:

• Writing down the information in the form of full sentences.
• Using headings to organize the notes topic wise.
• Sticking to write the most important pointers in order to keep up with the speed of teacher during lectures.

This is a great method for read/ write learners as they like to go through the complete printed form of information for later reference. 

It is important for every student to understand the type of learner he is in order to choose the right and more successful study note taking strategies for later referencing and learning. By realizing this and opting for the most efficient study notes taking methods, the student can leverage these strategies for better learning and then better grades.