Wondering how to take better math notes on a laptop?
Wonder no more because, in this article, I’m going to teach you simple yet effective techniques for taking math notes effectively.
So without wasting your time, let’s get started.
Smartphones can help you to record math notes. However, in most cases, professors won’t allow students to come with their phones in class. If you can fit in an audio recording gadget on your laptop, it would help you to take proper math notes.
The outline method helps to take simple notes. This is probably the easiest note-taking method that most students use.
In this method, you just need to write down the key points your professor is teaching. It’s one of the best methods when dealing with a stokes theorem problem as it makes things simpler and straightforward for students.
Once done, continue expounding each key point as your professor teaches. Remember that it can be overwhelming to review the notes you take using this method because they are somehow narrow so ensure you read each point and summarize it in your own words.
The Cornell Method is also another simple yet effective note-taking method where you insert a table on your computer and divide it into three sections so that you have a notes, cues, and a summary section.
Type the notes your professor covers during class in the notes section structuring them as you wish. You can also invoke the outline method here.
You can write your cues section during or immediately after class.
This is where you write down the main points or test questions.
You can also finish with the summary immediately after class or later when reviewing the notes.
This section is purposely for summarizing the entire lecture or topic covered.
If you intend to review your math notes after the lecture this method would be a great one for you. This method can help you concentrate in class.
The downside of this method is that it can be hard to review the flow of your notes afterward. You can try using this method alongside the Cornell Method.
While this is considered a note-taking method for lazy students, it’s also one of the best for students using laptops.
The method is easy. All you need to do is to request your professor for the files they are using. You can download them or ask your professor to send them over to your email.
Once you get the slides, you can go ahead and outline and expand on the key points already discussed by your professor.
During note-taking, it’s expected that some math concepts of problems might slip through your ears or you might not be able to cover them in your notes. Or your professor may skip some problems. You can extend your note-takng at home and ask your professor for clarification the next day.
The reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all note-taking method, whether you’re using a laptop, desktop or you’re handwriting your notes. However, we have found the methods described above to be not only effective but they are also simple.
Did we miss any note-taking method or strategy you have used or found effective and simple?
If so then we’d like to hear that in the comment section.
