Have you read a book and thought, “Wait, what did I just read?” We’ve all been there. The pages are easy to get lost in and forget what’s important. If you’re tired of reading books and feeling like you didn’t really get anything, then it’s time to take your note taking while reading games to the next level. Taking the right notes will help you remember what you read and make you feel like a pro. As you move through the day, no more wasted reading time, no more confusion. Let’s dive in!
What’s the Point of Taking Notes?
Before you think, I don’t need to write anything down, I’m a genius for remembering everything I read, let’s get real with you. According to research, you could forget up to 70% of the information you absorb within 24 hours, and by the end of the week, that can jump to 90%. If you’re not a reading wizard with a photographic memory, it’s time to start note taking while reading.
What’s the Point of Taking Notes
However, not all notes do this. There’s an art to it. It’s like any art, a little finesse, a little practice. But your book is more than just a form of entertainment, it actually needs to be looked at as a learning tool to help you tap into the full potential of your brain.
The Benefits of Note Taking While Reading
Note taking while reading has lots of benefits. It will help you to remember key points of the book, notes can come in handy while discussing the book with a friend or you wanna remember your memory of the book after a long time. There are many more benefits, let’s check some-
You Actually Remember More
If you take notes it doesn’t leave much space for not engaging with the material. Writing something down does not just involve you passively absorbing information, but processing it. The act of summarizing or even questioning the material sticks it in your memory. It’s like putting a sticky note on your brain that says, Remember this! Yes, you might forget where you put your keys, but your notes will remind you of that great concept you wanted to go deeper with.
It Helps You Understand
Books can be complex – especially non-fiction or literature. For instance, you might read a passage and Say to yourself, “What the heck does that even mean.” When you stop and jot down your thoughts, you’re forced to pause and reflect. Your note might make something the author is presenting seem too complex or even connect it with something you already know. Sometimes you don’t understand what are you reading, but when you are done reading and look at your notes, it may help you to clear the concept.
You Get to See the Big Picture
Note taking while reading will allow you to take a step back and look at the complete picture. When you’re reading a book sometimes, you can get lost in the details. That’s because highlighting or jotting down key points gives you a bird’s-eye view of the text. What are the central themes? What’s the author trying to say? What is there about these ideas that you already know? When you take notes, you can follow the author’s structure and track their arguments, so that you can see how everything connects at the end.
It Sparks New Ideas
Writing down a note of something that has resonated with you can help you think differently about it or connect it to something else. Sometimes you’re reading about psychology, and then you realize that a concept fits in your life or job. Or you can read a quote that sparks an entirely new project or goal. Coming up with ideas and working through them is the process of writing, and the process writes your brain.
Notes are Perfect for Later Use
It’s when you’re on a Zoom call and someone says, “Does anyone have a good quote about leadership?” If you’ve read this far, you can pull out the perfect quote you jotted down two months ago in that book you buried your nose in. A set of well-organized notes is a personal library of wisdom you can refer to at any time. You don’t know when that epic quote or nugget of knowledge will come in handy.
How to Take Notes Like a Pro
I think you have got a pretty clear idea why note taking while reading is important. I have mentioned only 5 reasons, but believe me, there are more of them. However, now I will tell you how to take notes effectively, like a pro. After reading these tips you will know how you should take notes-
Get the Right Tools
Here’s a little secret: you don’t have to have a fancy notebook, color coded pens, or a tablet with a stylus to make good notes. No doubt those are great, but it’s not required for note taking while reading. You just need something that works for you, maybe that’s a notebook, your phone, or possibly even a sticky note you scribble on during your coffee break.
Don’t just underline and highlight random words. That’s lazy. Why do it if you’re not going to do it right? Purposeful underlining should be used. Don’t highlight anything unless it’s crucial. Otherwise, you’re going to have an entire book looking like the victim of a highlighter massacre.
Use Simple Summaries, Not Long Quotes
Here’s the deal: you’re not writing an essay for class unless you are. Your notes should be simple. Summarize, don’t transcribe. If you run across a key idea, reduce it to your own words. It makes your brain work harder at actually taking in the material. Instead of writing down the whole paragraph you might write something like “Big decisions happen through small habits” or “Human motivation comes from intrinsic values.” Straight to the point, straightforward. And guess what? It will be easier to look over later.
Don’t Overthink It
Your notes don’t have to be neat. They don’t have to read like a Shakespearean sonnet. If you read something that just jumps at you, write it down. Jot down a passage if it makes you think of your own life. Your notes are personal, don’t put pressure on yourself to make them perfect. It’s not a museum exhibit – it’s your brain on paper or screen.
Use Symbols, Diagrams, or Mind Maps
We don’t mean you have to go full Picasso with your notes, but using symbols or diagrams can be a total game changer. They help you to organize your thoughts quickly through arrows and bullet points. If you’re a visual person, creating mind maps or flowcharts is a great way to link the ideas from the book. When you have complex, or abstract information, often visual representation of information helps to digest it a lot better.
Review and Reflect
Reading a book and putting it away feels like an easy option. The real power of note taking is reviewing your notes. Revisit them after a week, a month, whenever you must reacquaint yourself with the madness. When you reread your notes it’s like the reset button for your brain, reactivating the knowledge and building new connections.
Let’s be honest though, sometimes the second time you read through your notes is when you’re like Wow, I completely misunderstood that last time. Now it makes sense!
When to Take Notes: The Timing Game
There are serial note takers. In every other sentence, they write something down. Some only take notice of the “big stuff” after a chapter. It’s not about one size fits all. The type of book you’re reading will determine what works for you.
For light fiction? Perhaps you don’t have to take notes every five minutes. Enjoy the ride. All you have to do is sit back. Note taking can be a gold mine for textbooks, self-help books, or anything trying to change the way you think. When writing, take notes during key moments, when you feel you’re shifting, and when you see a fact or insight that matters to your goals.
In Conclusion
Getting through the book faster isn’t the only reason to note taking while reading. It’s about knowing it, reflecting on it, and using it long after you’ve closed the cover. Next time you pick up that book, actively participate in the chat between you and the author. No matter if you are writing in the margin or typing on your phone, your notes can be your most powerful tool to make reading a lasting, meaningful experience.
You can check out – How to Write a Book Review in Just 5 Steps
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