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Effective note-taking is essential since it enables students to highlight the main points, which aid in post-class review, study, and learning. Also, taking notes throughout class keeps their minds and bodies busy and awake, preventing tiredness and distraction. The following tips can assist students in taking more effective notes in class.

1. Come prepared

It can sound pretty basic, but it is vital as it ensures you are ready to take down notes in class. Ensure you have all the necessary items, such as a pen, pencil, textbook, and notebook (with enough blank pages). If you wear glasses, don’t forget to take them to the classroom. Also, sit where you can easily see the black or whiteboard.

2. Do research before class

Many times, teachers inform students what they will teach them the following morning, as per the syllabus. Reading before the class benefits the students as it helps them focus on the main ideas in the class. The best schools in Baddi encourage students to conduct independent research on a variety of topics to improve their understanding and expose them to multiple perspectives.

3. Write down the main points

Try to write the most vital points in the class- if your history teacher mentions the date when India adopts its constitution, note it down. Similarly, if your maths teacher solves an example with a particular formula, write it in your notebook. Even though it's hard to concentrate on the main points, pay close attention to what your teacher is saying. Sometimes the teacher writes vital facts and data on the board, which you can write. And if the teacher writes everything on the board, it is a bonus.

4. Avoid writing every word

The teacher is not dictating things that you need to write down word by word. And if you focus too much on writing everything, you might miss what the teacher is saying in the class, which can lead to confusion and doubts later on. In case you miss something, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher to repeat it. Your teacher will also appreciate this as this will demonstrate you are actively listening and trying to understand things.

5. Don’t get distracted

When students feel bored in a class, they daydream and get sidetracked, which makes them miss out on vital sections of a topic. To avoid zoning out, take a good night's sleep before the class. A sharp focus will ensure you carefully understand the things that your teachers explain.

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6. Make visually appealing notes

Would you like to read from messy notes after you go back home? So, make sure your notes are easy to read or look nice. Some ways through which you can do this are as follows:

• Start on a new page

Taking notes on a fresh page will make it easy for you to read them. You can also put a date on top of the page to make it easy to track when you took the notes.

• Write clearly

Though you need to write fast while taking notes, ensure they are neat and readable. You can use headings and bullets to organise your notes properly.

• Use symbols and diagram

Symbols and diagrams will help you make an association between the main points in your notes. If you are a visual learner, you will enjoy learning this way.

7. Follow consistency

In a one-hour or 45-minute long class, avoid the temptation to take notes for the first 10-15 minutes and then write nothing at all. Keep pace throughout the class/lecture to ensure you gather all the information. Best CBSE schools in Nalagarhhelp students in note-taking by teaching effective strategies, encouraging them to active listening and implementing several other ways.

8. Review your notes

Reviewing your notes after returning home will help you memorise things more effectively. While reading your notes, you can add information you remember from the class. Reviewing will also help you find uncertain areas to which you can seek clarification from your classmates and teachers.

9. Collaborate with your classmates

Your classmates take notes just like you, so sharing your notes and ideas will help you know about their prospectives and fill in the information you might have missed.  Discussing with your classmates will help you reinforce your understanding and assist them as well. The collaboration will motivate and encourage you to get more engaged and focused in class.

10. Practice regularly

Use different techniques for note-taking to find which works best for you and ensure you practise regularly. Remember, note-taking is an art which takes time, so don’t get frustrated if a few methods do not work.

The key takeaways

Effective note-taking is essential for academic success, as written material helps students study and build their knowledge. You can enhance your note-taking abilities by utilising the ten tactics listed above. So, come prepared, research before class, focus on the main points, avoid writing every word, don’t get distracted, make visually appealing notes, follow consistency, review your notes, collaborate with your classmates and practice regularly. Some schools also provide resources and support to help students with note-taking.