Exploring the Benefits and Methods of Note-Taking for University Students

Written by Patrick Brown

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Luke Southern on Unsplash

         The way university courses are taught has significantly changed over time, especially as technology has become an essential part of the learning process. Because of this, the note-taking habits of students have also changed, as students today have options to create hand-written notes, type up digital notes, or take no notes at all, given that professors commonly post lecture materials online. I’ll be outlining the importance of note-taking, as well as examining the pros and cons of note-taking methods students are using in the classroom.

Note-Taking for Learning and Memory

         There have been many studies examining in-class note-taking and its correlation with memory and learning in academic settings. Most studies show a positive correlation between taking notes in class and academic performance. Memory benefits of note-taking have been categorized by researchers into two groups: encoding and external storage. Encoding involves active engagement with the lecture material through making notes, which helps students process and develop a deeper understanding of the information presented. External storage refers to students' ability to review and rehearse their notes later on. To maximize the effectiveness of these memory benefits of note-taking, students should personalize their notes to help them better understand the class concepts and structure them to help with review later on. Taking notes in lectures has even been shown to improve recall without further revision.

         One study outlined three learning strategies that students employ in their note-taking to improve their memory and performance. They include key point selection (selecting the most important ideas for note-taking), comprehension monitoring (checking readability, omissions, and corrections), and organization (outlining, classifying, and structuring notes). Importantly, this study also included that merely copying lecture notes/slides is the least effective note-taking strategy, as it can often be done without thinking about the material.

Note-Taking Methods: Laptop vs. Pen & Paper

         Technological advancements over the last few decades have significantly shifted the way university classes are taught and how we do work and take notes. Nowadays, there is a mixture of note-taking methods that students use as some students use laptops and tablets to keep track of notes, and others use pen and paper. Depending on the course and whether the professor provides the lecture materials online, note-taking practices and strategies among students can differ.

         In my experience, I have often heard that writing notes by hand (pen/paper) is a better method of note-taking for memorization and processing of information. However, as the use of laptops for note-taking has become increasingly popular, research about note-taking methods has grown. Recent research has not shown any clear or consistent differences in academic achievement between laptop and handwritten note-takers; however, there are potential pros and cons to each.

         Laptop note-taking allows for much quicker recording of information in comparison to handwriting. The ability to record notes faster allows laptop users to capture more information and be more attentive in listening to the lecturer. Notes taken on a laptop can be preferable for some because of neatness and organization. Notable drawbacks of using a laptop include the ability to be more easily distracted, and the difficulty in including diagrams or images in notes.

Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash

         While handwriting may not be as quick, it eliminates distractions, makes it easier to draw diagrams, graphs, and images, as well as more quickly change note font and personalize notes without having to use multiple computer functions. The disadvantages of written notes include writing at a slower pace, resulting in fewer notes compared to laptop users, and the greater cognitive demand and effort compared to typing on a laptop.

         Because professors often provide lecture slides for students to look back on later, many students do not take notes. While it is possible to get by without taking notes in a lot of classes, students would be missing out on the memory and performance benefits that come with regular note-taking. Research shows that not taking notes often results in worse performance in comparison to students who use notes. Therefore, I would suggest note-taking to achieve the best results.

Discussion & Tips

In my own case, I prefer writing notes by hand as it eliminates the distraction of my laptop and allows me to be more focused on the lecture material. In courses where the slides are posted online, I know I can go back and use them to review later, so my notes do not have to be extremely detailed or include every word. I do find that depending on the course and the way it is taught, writing by hand may not efficiently record the important ideas presented in the lecture. With current technology, students can choose whatever method they find works for them, and students can be flexible with using various note-taking methods for different courses. Especially since there is no conclusive research deeming one method better than the other, students should pick whatever they feel helps maximize their success.

For SMU students looking to improve their note-taking skills, I recommend visiting the Writing Centre. The Writing Center has resources available to help students improve their note-taking and writing, including their Note-Taking handout and Cornell Note-Taking System, which help students strengthen their note-taking practices. For those requiring further support, becoming a client at the Fred Smithers Centre gives students many services to take advantage of, including volunteer note-takers to assist in your studies.

Final Thoughts

        To conclude, the research shows that it is important for students to take notes in class if they are looking to maximize their academic success. Regardless of your preferred method of note-taking, there are clear benefits to memory and learning that students should not overlook.