Taking notes from a textbook feels like a chore, doesn’t it? You sit down, crack open that 500-page book, and suddenly—your brain just checks out. There are too many words, too much fluff, and before you know it, you’ve copied down half the chapter without actually understanding anything.

And the worst part? When it’s time to study, you look at your notes and think, Did I even write this? I used to do the same thing. I’d spend hours copying everything, thinking more notes meant better learning. But when it came time to recall something? Total blank.

The truth is, most of us were never taught how to take notes properly. But if done right, good notes can save you time and actually make studying easier. So, how do you take notes from a textbook effectively? Don’t worry—let me walk you through it.

Why Good Textbook Notes Matter

Before we dive into how, let’s talk about the why. Why even take notes at all? Can’t we just read the textbook and move on?

Well, according to research from the Association for Psychological Science, students who take effective notes retain 34% more information than those who don’t. That’s a huge difference.

And guess what? The quality of your notes matters more than the quantity. If your notes are just a messy brain dump, you might as well not take them at all.

Good notes help you:

• Understand concepts faster—no need to reread the entire book before a test.
  
• Remember key points—we all forget things, notes bring them back.
  
• Save time—no more cramming the night before an exam.
  

Step 1: Don’t Just Read—Understand

Here’s a mistake most of us make: we read a paragraph, highlight a few words, and move on. But passive reading won’t cut it. You need to engage with the textbook—like you’re having a conversation with it.

Try these methods instead:

• Skim the chapter first. Look at headings, bolded terms, and summaries. This gives you a roadmap of what’s important.
• Ask questions as you read. Why does this matter? How does it connect to what I already know?
• Pause after each section. Can you explain it in your own words? If not, go back and reread.
  

Step 2: The “Smart” Way to Write Notes

Now for the fun part—writing your notes. But let’s be clear: do not copy everything word for word. That’s just rewriting the textbook, and your brain won’t thank you for it.

Here are my tried-and-tested strategies:

• Summarize, don’t describe. Use your own words. If you can explain a concept simply, you actually understand it.
  
• Use keywords and phrases. Skip full sentences. Think of your notes as cheat codes for your brain.
  
• Make them visual. Use headings, underlining, bullet points, or color-coding to make your notes easy to scan.
  

Example:

❌ Bad Note:

The mitochondria is known as the powerhouse of the cell because it produces ATP through cellular respiration. ATP is the main energy currency of the cell, and it is produced in the mitochondria by breaking down glucose and oxygen, which results in the release of energy.

✅ Better Note:

Mitochondria = Powerhouse of the cell
Function: Produces ATP (energy)
How? Glucose + Oxygen → Energy

See the difference? The second version is clearer, shorter, and easier to review.

Step 3: Use Active Notes, Not Passive Ones

There’s no one-size-fits-all method for note-taking, but some strategies work better than others. Let’s take a look:

📚 The Cornell Method

This system divides your page into three sections:

• Main Notes: Concepts and explanations.
  
• Keywords/Questions: Important terms or queries.
  
• Summary: A few sentences summarizing the topic.
  

Bonus: Studies show that the Cornell Method helps students recall 20–30% more information than traditional note-taking.

🧠 The Mind Map Method

Perfect for visual learners. Instead of writing linear notes, draw diagrams to connect ideas.

• Studying history? Create timelines.
  
• Studying science? Draw flowcharts.
  

🗣️ The Feynman Technique

Have you seen someone reading aloud while studying? They’re likely using the Feynman Technique—teaching the concept out loud as if explaining it to a 5-year-old. If you can teach it simply, you truly get it.

Step 4: Try the 3 “R” Technique

What is the 3 R Technique? It stands for Review, Revise, and Reinforce. Taking notes is only step one. To actually remember the information, you need to revisit it regularly.

Here’s a schedule I’ve been using during my study sessions:

• Same day: Quickly skim and highlight key points.
  
• End of the week: Summarize what you’ve learned.
  
• Before exams: Use your notes like flashcards.
  
• Bonus: Rewrite your notes a week later without looking at the textbook.
  

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the best note-taking method is the one that works for you. Try out a few techniques, tweak them, and see what clicks.

So next time you sit down with that textbook, ditch the highlighter overload and passive reading. Try these strategies and let me know which one works best for you!