Learning Resources Homework and Note Taking Skills

Study and Note Taking Skills Icon Trying and experimenting with different study strategies is an important step toward academic progress and personal growth. This page offers tips and tools to support your efforts—from taking organized, effective notes and reviewing them, to breaking assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks. Explore these resources to deepen your understanding of course material, develop practical study habits, and build confidence in your ability to learn and grow.

The activities on this page are set up so you can jump in where you need help the most. However, if you use all of them, you’ll be able to:

Write notes using the Cornell, Outline, or Mind-Mapping methods.
Use active learning strategies to review your notes.
Break large homework assignments into manageable, time-bound chunks.

Taking Notes

Outline note taking method example.

When it comes to note taking, several effective strategies can enhance your studies, including Cornell Notes, Outline Notes, and Mind Mapping. The Cornell Note-Taking System organizes your page into sections for keywords, detailed notes, and summaries, promoting active engagement and easier recall during exams. Outline Notes structure information logically with bullet points or numbers, providing clarity and making it ideal for subjects like history, science, or literature. Mind Mapping uses a central concept with branching ideas, incorporating colors and images to boost memory and visualize connections. Choosing the right method based on your learning style and the material can save time, increase engagement, and develop strong study habits that contribute to academic success.

Reviewing Your Notes Effectively

Reviewing Notes as flash cards

Regardless of your note taking method, they become much more useful when you use them to actively learn. This interactive tool helps you turn your raw notes into clear outlines, charts, or mind maps. Changing your lecture notes into study aids is a great way to understand and remember the material. By structuring key ideas and seeing how they connect, you’ll stay focused on what matters most. This organized approach also makes it easier when you study for tests or do projects later, since all your main concepts are laid out. Converting your notes to active learning tools will help you learn more effectively, and master concepts.

Tackling Your Homework

Doing homework online

Studying effectively isn’t only about taking good notes—it also means knowing how to handle your homework. It can be tough to get started, especially if the work feels too big or overwhelming. This tool helps you break your homework into 25-minute blocks, making large tasks feel more manageable. By checking your progress and reflecting on each block, you’ll stay motivated and develop better study habits over time. With regular practice, you’ll not only keep up with your homework but also build the confidence and skills you need to succeed in all your classes.

Page Attributions

gpointstudio /stock.adobe.com Unrecognizable caucasian teenage girl sitting on floor and making notes on flash cards (Adobe Stock Education License).
Pakin /stock.adobe.com Standardization and certification concept. Businessman with document, quality certificate and checklist, setting marketing planning assignment with quality management (Adobe Stock Education License).
Piolat, A. (2001). La prise de notes [Note Taking]. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.
Teachings in Education. (2017, November 21). Mind Mapping | Teaching Strategies #3 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCyjFipytRE&t=1s
BYU Thriving. (2020, April 1). Note-taking tips for BYU students [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLxAG2gzRAkLinks to an external site.
Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1. CrashCourse.https://youtu.be/E7CwqNHn_Ns?si=tVWlHwPBGo3ZcB9XLinks to an external site.

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