Good notes turn a lesson you watched into something you actually remember. Video lessons make it easier, if you use them well.
Quick takeaways
- Write key ideas, examples and questions in your own words, not everything the teacher says.
- The Cornell method splits the page into notes, cue questions and a short summary, which makes review easier.
- With recorded lessons, pause to think and write, but avoid copying slides word for word.
- Review your notes within a day or two and quiz yourself on the cue questions.
- Handwriting or typing both work; choose what helps you think, not just record.
Video lessons have one big advantage over a classroom: you can pause and rewind. Used well, that makes note-taking easier. Used badly, it turns into copying every word, which takes ages and doesn’t help you remember much. Here’s how to take notes that actually help.
What to write down
Aim to capture:
- Main ideas: the key points of the lesson, often signaled by the teacher saying “the important thing is…” or repeating something.
- Examples: a worked example or story that makes the idea clear.
- Definitions of new words.
- Questions: anything you don’t understand yet.
Write in your own words. Rephrasing forces you to think about what something means, which helps you remember it.
Try the Cornell method
The Cornell method is a simple page layout that makes notes easier to review:
| Part of the page | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Right column, the largest part | Notes during the lesson |
| Left column, narrow | Key words and questions, added after the lesson |
| Bottom section | A summary of the lesson in two or three sentences |
After the lesson, cover the right column and use the questions on the left to test yourself.
Helpful tip
Write your summary at the bottom of the page without looking at your notes first. If you can’t, that’s a sign to rewatch part of the lesson.
Using pause and rewind well
- Pause to think, not just to copy. Stop after a key point and write it in your own words.
- Pause before solutions. When the teacher sets a problem, try it yourself before watching the answer.
- Don’t rewind everything. Rewatch only the parts you didn’t understand, and note the time in the video for later.
Handwriting or typing?
Both can work. Handwriting tends to slow you down just enough to summarize rather than transcribe. Typing is faster and easier to organize and search. Some students handwrite during lessons and type a tidy summary afterward.
Review, don’t just store
Notes are only useful if you use them:
- Within a day or two, reread your notes and fill in gaps.
- Quiz yourself using the questions in the left column.
- Revisit them again a week later, and before tests.
Testing yourself from your notes beats rereading them. That’s the idea behind most effective study methods.
Keep notes organized
Use one notebook or folder per subject, date each page or file and number your notes by lesson. For digital notes, a simple folder system by subject and unit works well.
Note-taking is one part of staying engaged online. Our guide to staying focused in online classes has more ideas, and our list of free learning resources can help when you need a topic explained another way.
Parents and students ask
Is it better to handwrite or type notes?
Both can work. Handwriting tends to make people summarize rather than copy word for word, while typing is faster and easier to search. Whichever you choose, focus on putting ideas in your own words.
Should I copy the teacher’s slides?
Usually not. If slides are shared, add your own explanations, examples and questions next to them instead of rewriting what’s already there.
How much should I write?
Enough to remember the main ideas and how they connect. If you’re writing nonstop, you’re probably copying rather than thinking.
What do I do if I missed part of a live lesson?
Ask the teacher whether there’s a recording or slides, compare notes with a classmate, and write down any questions to ask at the next lesson.
This guide is general information for families. Follow your school’s policies, and talk to your child’s teacher, school counselor or pediatrician about your child’s specific needs.