How to Take Notes Faster and Remember More (14 Tips)

Aesthetic notes might look nice on TikTok, but they won’t save you when you’re cramming at 2am before an exam. 

If you want to take notes that help you remember more without wasting time writing everything in five colors, keep reading.

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How to Take Notes Faster and Actually Remember Them

1. Stop Writing Full Sentences (You’re Wasting Time)

Your brain doesn’t think in full sentences when you’re recalling information, so why are you writing them down? 

Cut your notes into short phrases, keywords, and symbols. Think of it like texting your future self—get the point across in as few words as possible.

For example, instead of writing:
"The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell because it produces ATP, which is the energy currency of the cell."

Write:
Mitochondria = ATP (cell energy)

Boom. Done. If you need the full explanation later, you can either look it up or—here’s an idea—actually listen in class.

2. Your Notes Should Look Messy (At First)

If your notes look perfectly organized while you’re writing them, you’re probably doing it wrong. 

Effective note-taking is about capturing information quickly, not making it look nice. 

Your notes should be a chaotic mix of shorthand, arrows, and abbreviations during class. 

Clean them up later if you really need to. But during class? Focus on speed and comprehension, not perfection.

3. Use Abbreviations That Actually Make Sense

Shorthand exists for a reason—use it. You don’t have to memorize some official system; just make up shortcuts that make sense to you. 

You don’t have time to write out long words. Make abbreviations that your brain will recognize later. Some basics:

• w/o = without
• b/c = because
• → = leads to / causes
• Δ = change
• ∴ = therefore
• e.g = for example

And if you’re in a specific class (like chemistry or economics), make abbreviations that fit. 

Just make sure they’re your abbreviations—what works for someone else might not click for you.

4. Don’t Copy the Slides (It’s Useless)

If your professor is reading off slides, don’t just copy them word for word. Ask yourself:

• What’s not on the slides that they keep repeating?
• What’s the main point of this entire slide?
• How would I explain this to someone else?

If your notes are just a copy-paste of the lecture slides —you’ve wasted your time.

5. Summarize in Your Own Words (Even If It’s Ugly)

Your brain remembers things better when you put them in your words, not your professor’s. 

After class, take a minute to look over your notes and scribble a quick summary. It doesn’t have to be pretty—just enough to make you remember later on.

For example:
Instead of: “The Treaty of Versailles placed heavy reparations on Germany, leading to economic collapse.”

Write: “Treaty = Germany broke, economy crashed → WWII?”

Remember, you’ll thank yourself when you’re trying to remember this at 2 AM before your exam.

6. Stop Trying to Write Everything—You Can’t Keep Up

If you’re trying to copy every word your teacher says, you’re already losing. You’ll always be a step behind, and by the time you finish writing one thing, they’ll be two topics ahead. 

Instead, focus on the point of what they’re saying. What’s the takeaway? What’s actually useful? Write that down in your own words.

If you’re thinking, but I need everything, then you’re just tricking yourself into busywork. Your brain processes ideas, not paragraphs of copied text. Write smarter, not more.

7. Write Down the Connections, Not Just the Facts

Most people take notes like they’re collecting random facts. That’s why they struggle to remember anything later. Your brain remembers connections between ideas, not just isolated points.

Instead of writing:

• Napoleon crowned himself emperor in 1804.
• France was in chaos after the Revolution.

Write:
France = mess → Napoleon seizes power (1804)

You’re linking ideas, not just storing them. That’s what actually helps you remember.

8. Focus on What You Don’t Understand

If something doesn’t make sense while you’re taking notes, mark it immediately. 

Use a question mark, highlight it, underline it—whatever makes you go back and figure it out later. 

The worst mistake? Skipping over confusing parts and assuming you’ll “get it later.” Spoiler: you won’t.

Okay, maybe you’d get it later on, if you put in effort. But pretend you won’t and try to get it immediately.

9. Record Only What You Need to Review

Some things will stick in your head instantly. Others will slip out the second you leave class. 

That’s why you take notes in the first place- to record what you’d forget. 

Your notes should focus on the things you’re most likely to forget. If something is already easy for you, please don’t waste time writing it down.

10. Use Voice Memos If You Can’t Write Fast Enough

If your professor talks at 2x speed and you can’t keep up, don’t stress—just record key parts on your phone (if allowed). 

Later, listen at 1.5x speed and jot down only the necessary points.

11. Review Your Notes Before the Next Class

If you take notes and never look at them again, then you’ve wasted your time. 

At least glance through them before your next lecture—it’ll help you keep up and actually understand what’s going on instead of sitting there confused.

12. Don’t Rely on Just Writing—Engage While You Listen

If you’re only focused on writing, you’re not actually listening. And if you don’t listen, your notes will be garbage because you didn’t process the information in real time. Here’s what helps:

• Look up at the teacher often. (If you never look up, you’re probably just transcribing.)
• React mentally to what they say. Ask yourself, Why does this matter? How does this connect?
• Whisper key points to yourself. Yes, really. Even mouthing words helps your brain register them.

13. If the Teacher Emphasizes It, Mark It Now

If they repeat something, write it down. If they slow down and say, This is important, mark it. If they get dramatic and say, This will be on the test, stop everything and underline it. 

These are the things you’ll actually need later, and future-you will thank you.

Bonus: If they make a joke about something or tell a story, that’s usually a hint that it matters. Teachers don’t waste time storytelling unless it helps with memory.

14. Structure Your Notes Like a Cheat Sheet

Imagine you’re only allowed to bring one page of notes to the test. How would you organize them? That’s how your notes should look while you take them.

• Use bullet points. Full sentences are a waste of time.
• Highlight key ideas. (Not literally highlight in class, but mark them clearly.)
• Write headers first. If a topic changes, leave space and move on—you can fill in gaps later.
• Use arrows and diagrams. If something connects, show it visually instead of explaining it in words.

If your notes look like a full essay, you’re doing too much. If they look like a rough outline of important information, you’re on the right track.

Final Thoughts 

Aesthetic notes are fine if they help you study. But if you actually want to remember more, focus on making your notes clearer, and more useful.