6 Note-Taking Tips for High Schoolers! ✍ ✨

[@JetPens]

Let us know your note-taking tips in the comments!

[@bluehoodie0205]

Spend 2 hours on a diary every day to improve handwriting and writing speed

[@turkerbahtiyar1291]

@@bluehoodie0205 two hours every day 😶

[@manojsope-cs8zw]

NialkshiMsop e

[@niciasdorcent2652]

@@bluehoodie02052 hours is crazy 💀 Do at least like 30 minutes

[@drinaasiedu3158]

​@@bluehoodie0205❤ Wow

[@LaLa_ArtGal]

My tip: when taking notes in class, when the teacher shifts to a new part of the lecture, change pen colors. I used a set of Zebra Sarasa pens ... and my notes were so easy to study from that my classmates would ask to study with me.

[@uneedsome_gunn]

You use different colours for every new topic or new chapter!

[@kristysonberg4235]

Best thing that helped me when I was in College was having a sloppy notes and a clean notes notebook for every class. In class, write down your notes best you can keeping up with your lecture, but after class, review your notes by rewriting them, while it's still fresh and making them easier to follow and study from later.

[@shadufdoodles]

I'm going to try doing this this year! I always want to take organized pretty looking notes but realistically you have to write fast when you are trying to capture important info from a lecture. Also I find that physically writing the notes really helps me remember it more so I think quickly writing the important info and then more slowly mindfully copying it out will help reinforce it into my brain.

[@emillyw5622]

I used to do this too, I would have a note pad to write extra information given in lectures that was talked about but that wasn’t on the slides or class notes. So I could focus on understanding the concept first and then really hammer it in when writing consolidating all of the resources into concise notes later.

[@lilyannjasper]

I graduated from high school 35 years ago, but I still watched the entire video because I love JetPens ❤

[@jess53nz]

Same!

[@virginiaranara6227]

U in college now?

[@jess53nz]

@@virginiaranara6227 nope, finished uni nearly 20 years ago

[@virginiaranara6227]

@@jess53nz oh u must be in a job now! Noice 👌

[@jess53nz]

@@virginiaranara6227 yup several over the years. But the love of stationery never leaves!

[@TheWanderingFire]

Before you start taking notes from your books, look over the whole chapter first. If there are summary points/questions at the end of the chapter, or points that are especially emphasized in text boxes throughout, read them first. It will help you spot and understand key concepts when you read the chapter. Read whole paragraphs and stop to think about them and then phrase them in your own words as simply and shortly as possible. When taking notes in class, use the Cornell method.

[@eric_the_egggremlin]

for high schoolers who need to be Doing Something in class like I did, but everything that helps you focus is considered a distraction: doodles and tracing. draw figure-eights in the margins of your notes and then trace them until your hand is tired. scribble little faces next to notes to show how you feel about them. when your teacher gives you a minute to write, add lil flourishes to your letters. make your notes Something, not just text and diagrams. I studied more when I left myself tiny drawings everywhere to break up the monotony.

[@Im_a_randomperson]

I am in the last year of primary school and i love taking notes. My teacher wont let me during lessons but after coming home i go thru the lessons and summerise the things i find important for exams.they help sooo much

[@fabrizziogonzales817]

YALL DONT KNOW HOW MUCH I NEEDED THIS!! I’m 14 year old boy and just got into hs and today was my first day! 😊 I know I’m gonna get a lot of shit for this edit bc it seems stupid to y’all, but how can I find out if a girl is dropping signs/likes me or if it is just as a friend? Even though I just started hs, I have this one girl (I’ll call her “A”) and A and I really hit it off. We talk a lot in our classes and we seem to really vibe together. A few days ago our legs were touching and I wanted to see her reaction so I didn’t move mine and she didn’t move hers. This happened a few times in other days/classes and she never moved her leg or arm when it happened. She initiates a lot of our convos so it’s not just one sided. Whenever we talk we aren’t scared of each other and we hold eye contact and we don’t stutter. I’m not an idiot so I’m obviously not calling this love or anything like that bc it’s been so little time but are these signs that she at least find me attractive (not necessarily physically but emotionally as well, although I will say I’m above average but not high in attractiveness) LADIES I need your help 😭 (men too ig 🤷‍♂️) but pls give me tips on how to drop hints that aren’t too serious but enough to notice so I can continue this until I feel comfortable enough to ask her to home coming in 1.5 months

[@Duhman2]

How was it?!!

[@frijolesborracho9340]

Me too!!! I'm about to start in 2 weeks and I ordered a giant stationary haul for myself, I'm super anxious but excited!!!

[@Duhman2]

@@frijolesborracho9340 you got this!!! Make many friends ❤

[@kirklandhehe]

What's middle school like. I'm from England so we don't have that here

[@eric_the_egggremlin]

good luck, little dude!

[@samilet2008]

im starting highschool this year and im so excited!!

[@mollymollie6048]

I used the “traditional outline” for taking class notes (or textbook notes)…the Roman numeral I, Cap A, #1, lower a, etc. format. This allowed me to give emphasis to what was an overall concept (the Roman numeral,) main aspects of overall concept (Cap A,B,C), details of those (#s 1,2,3,) and, more detail (a,b,c) if needed. Pages/Word both will do this style of outlining if you like to type up your notes…which is another tip! Since I had a hard time organizing written notes this way, I would take all the notes I could, and then later, type those notes up into the outline format (and add info from the related textbook material to it) to create my own study guide. I got bored very quickly just reading over notes, so the “action” of handwriting and then organizing the material, typing on the computer, and integrating info from the textbook, was where the real learning happened for me. Reviewing the typed up material (which I would put “action” into by highlighting, putting in arrows, drawing a concept, etc, to relieve the boredom) was then significantly reduced because it was then a reminder of already gained knowledge. Finally, I cannot stress the importance of flash cards for some subjects…you just need them! Making them is “action”. Studying from them (from both sides) is action…cause you score yourself…and start creating that pile of “I know that like the back of my hand.” Plus, I’d get them in fun color paper, or fun color pens to make it more interesting to me. Thankfully, I’ve done all the school, so, enjoy! No summer vacation for grown-ups, lol.

[@AionNoBara]

Visual note taking also helps! I underline a word and put an arrow with its definition, draw a box around a quote, an asterisk or star before an important note I want to remember, etc. You can also do flow charts with words or sequences. I know Jetpens has an article on it somewhere... And sometimes it actually was useful to write down what the teacher says word for word. The phrasing would be on the tests. I'm a good note taker, but I can't be disturbed or distracted, cuz it really does ruin the train of thought and the flow. I also use Roman numerals for categories and abc and numbers for lists or questions. I suggest to take messy notes first and rewrite them later. You can make it pretty and organized, but you also retain information better when you reread and rewrite, *especially* by hand. All you kids with your clicky pens.... PS Even post college I don't think I could take that English course haha They are all intense books! Miriam would make a good teacher! Teach me about handbags!

[@CanuckJim]

For complicated subjects, where there's a lot of moving parts, I'd read a page, put a post-it on the page and summarize the important bits on the post-it in my own words. The lack of space forces you to be brief. Bonus, because you carved the best parts out of the page, you likely reviewed the whole page a great deal. I'd put the post-it on the page so a little overhung the edge and write the topic in the overhang. When I went back to study, I could glance at the TON of tabs and say "Logistic Regression is here, and here, and ... here".

[@sherrycohen1824]

I'm no longer in school, but I still take notes when I read certain books, especially history and biographies. Otherwise, I will forget important things and not be able to keep track of all the revolutions and battles in a specific country.

[@isixqueenxofxmadness]

I do too! I use sticky notes to add my comments, thoughts, conclusions etc. Right there on the text. That way I can go back to the comment and recognize what it was about.

[@AnaliaLucero-pc7uy]

im 14 and going to High school this year so this helps a lot! THX

[@sallydiop6961]

1. get rid of distraction 2. use bullet points to organize your notes 3. mark up textbook w/ sticky notes and page flags 4. use smooth pens that pair w/highlighters 5. use clear sticky notes to trace diagrams 6. create study groups with your classmates

[@ihidjiminsjamsinjinsramen9948]

Finally i rlly needed this bc today is our fourth day for the school year (yes, we started last monday) and next week we're gonna start the lessons for school! Thanks sooo much Jetpens for giving me these tips it rlly helps!

[@Phillia_crochet]

For me, I don't just focus on recording information but at least classify and organize them in a system like outline methods, tree diagram or mindmap. A rough draft is fine, I often make digital mindmap later if laptops aren't allowed. No need to pay too much attention to aesthetic while taking note as that could wait later when reviewingt compiling or for some, rewriting notes. If the lesson materials are available before class, it's best to go over them to get the overall ideas. I used to skim through all the textbooks as I cover them and prepare corresponding subject notebooks during summer breaks. There're useful glosaries and appendices that are often ignored by other students as teachers don't teach these. For fountain pens lovers like me, I found Staedler Classics Inkjet Proof works best on fountain pen inks.

[@arliafrink3043]

Start a shared google doc with your study group or classmates. It can be a dumping ground for notes, images, links, etc, and everyone can add to it, study from it, etc. My middle school English students loved doing this!

[@heidi1574]

i love these kinds of videos!! thank you jetpens for starting off the back to school season with a bang!

[@Grizz1416]

I am in 8th grade this year and going to be a freshman next year. Thx this really helped

[@jcaro3598]

This may sound super simple but taking notes may vary by class. Subjects I understood well only needed a general summary note highlighting vocab or main points but for items that were a bit difficult, I switched up my note taking style and spent more time on the subject. I used file tabs to mark my books so I could find info that was giving me trouble and sometimes had to work on the notes in smaller chunks over more days.

[@joanw131]

im in college but i love notes and jetpens so here i am

[@slr2762]

I really wish you would do a video on the best school supplies for Kindergartners. That would help so much!! Like which are the best pencils for them. It would be amazing if you did a whole series each year for each grade K-12. You could even consult some teachers. You guys have such an amazing perspective on world-wide office supplies that most of us don’t have access to. It would help us parents learn a ton.

[@emillyw5622]

A tip for if your favourite pen doesn’t work with highlighters is to highlight first and write over it. Also leaving the notes to dry for a few weeks usually leaves the writing dry enough that even gel pens won’t smudge. I used to do all my highlighting to the end of semester when I was doing my revision before exams.

[@solis_solaire]

Recording lectures using your phone is a great way to save yourself in case you miss something while writing or if you’re having trouble understanding the topic. Notes taken while not understanding what the teacher is talking about can be wrong or useless later, so recording what the teacher said word for word, then going back to it after you’ve asked clarifying questions can really save you during a unit test. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in class. You won’t always be able to contact your high school teachers after class(they might leave immediately or other students will race to them and ask them so many questions that waiting might make you late for your next class) or via email after school hours. As long as you look like you’re paying attention most of the time, teachers won’t pick on you for not listening. If you do, that’s their problem, not yours. Same thing if you’re worried about embarrassing yourself in front of your classmates. I know that’s easier said than done; I myself struggle a lot with this, but trust me. If you get a teacher that doesn’t give ANY material and you have to fully rely on your own handwritten notes to pass, asking what you’re unsure of while the teacher is on the topic can SAVE YOUR LIFE. Not to mention that if you’re really doing your best to pay attention and you still don’t get it, chances are there are several people in your class who also don’t understand, and they’ll be grateful you asked for them. Asking questions often can encourage other people to do the same, so try not to be afraid. You’re in that class to learn, so try your best to learn! This is similar to the study group point, but I find that especially in the aftermath of COVID and many people are still afraid of a breakout that this is important. Find someone else who is reliable at paying attention and taking notes, and make a pact in the case that either of you get sick, that there’ll be someone who can catch you up to speed when you come back. You two don’t really need to be friends either. Being sick for even one day can be immensely stressful if you’re struggling or having trouble understanding a particular class, or if you know your teacher was going to cover something important that day. Having one person or a group(even better!) who’s there to take notes and give them to you when you come back takes a lot of stress away. Of course, make sure you’re REALLY paying attention in the case that that other person is sick so that you can reliably return the favour! I also recommend before an important test to rewrite all of your in-class notes in a more organized way as a study guide. Your notes in class won’t be perfect, they don’t need to be, but they’ll likely be repetitive or you have since asked questions that clarified subjects you were unsure of that you didn’t take down in your in-class notes yet. Having cleaner notes that are organized and to-the-point to study has personally increased my grades by a LOT, using this method let me get 100% on my math final and 92% on my chemistry final(and let me tell you I was struggling in chemistry, I had just recovered from food poisoning and wasn’t really 100% at the time of writing that final. The increase in my understanding from 45%-75% on my previous tests to 92% was such a relief). I’m not saying this method works for everyone, but I’d certainly give it a shot if you have the time after school or during a spare. Lastly, try as many different formats of note-taking as you can until you find one that works really well for you! I’m left handed and write at an angle where my hand runs directly over my writing so I’m limited in options when it comes to pens and pencils, and I write with a death grip on my writing utensils. So after experimenting, I takes notes best via typing because my hand doesn’t cramp up, my notes remain un-smudged, and I can take photos of diagrams. It may not be the best solution, but it works better for me than traditional bullet notes. So don’t be afraid to try a different method if the way you were taught to take notes isn’t really working for you, because there may be a better way.

[@stanloona000]

Be sure to ask the teachers if you can record the class tho! I had some teachers that had no problem but some that were very against it

[@isixqueenxofxmadness]

When on lectures, I take notes pretty disorderly, but I always make sure to write down questions in a different color next to related notes. That way it's easier to find them when the lecturer gives a moment for questions and you can give context on what the questions were about. Re-reading notes and highlighting what is most relevant and what I'm weak on is super useful for retaining content. And last, USE YOUR OWN WORDS when taking notes on class, make an effort to do it so future you gets it.

[@isixqueenxofxmadness]

Could you please make a video about rugged or resistant stationary? I work on the field and a big part of the job is taking notes. Rain, sun, dust and generally the lack of a writing surface results in blurry, wrinkled notes. I haven't found a notebook that can survive being constantly Taken in and out of the pocket more than 2 weeks. Or a pen that inevitably gets broken and lost. Or a hard enough surface to not bend and distort my writing. I can cope, but as a stationery enthusiast I'd really love stuff that makes my job more comfortable.

[@sherrycohen1824]

Try Right in the Rain notebooks.

[@carriebartkowiak]

Buckle up, lol. :) For a pen, sounds like you need lightfast and waterproof. So basically, the Uni Jetstream Ballpoint ink line. (Don't worry, it glides like a gel pen.) When searching for them, you'll see them listed as "Uni", "Uni Ball", and "Uni-ball". Just make sure it's got some combo of "Uni", "Jetstream", and "Ballpoint" in the name and you'll have the right ink. The Jetstream ink comes in a huge variety of pen bodies. I wouldn't recommend the 3-color and 4-color Jetstream bodies, because in my experience the refills for those quit writing just 1/3rd of the way through the ink. (Maybe because they're SO skinny?) BUT my Uni Jetstream 101 Ballpoint 1.0mm disposables seem to go on writing forevvvvver. And you can get them in a 12-pack on Amazon. "Taken in and out of the pocket" of what? Your jeans back pocket? Your cargo pants thigh pocket? Messenger bag pocket? Your soft-sided toolbox pocket? The side pocket in the door of your truck? Size matters! :) If it's not for a jeans pocket, a "clipboard with storage" (search for that exactly on amazon) would help you. Hard writing surface with a safe inside compartment to store your pens and notebooks so they don't get bent/broken/lost. You can get those in A4, US Legal, US Letter, and A5, from what I've seen. If you get one with an acrylic top, you can leave your notebook inside and still read it while it's raining or blowing like crazy. If it IS for a jeans pocket, get yourself a slim hardside external hard drive case, and a small memo book (roughly 3"x5") to fit inside of it. Put your Jetstream pen in there diagonally and you're good to go. No bending, a hard writing surface, waterproof ink. Maybe the "Amazon Basics External Hard Drive Portable Carrying Case" (not the "My Passport" one, it's much shorter), and the "Midori Patto Quick Open Memo Pad" or "Midori Grain Memo Pad". (Or any 3x5 memo pad at the Dollar Tree/Walmart.) But if you go this route, get the "Uni Jetstream Standard Ballpoint Pen" body, as it's only 5.5 inches, so it'll fit diagonally in the case. The 101 body is 6" and won't fit. As for which notebook...with a protective carrying case, the notebook doesn't matter. Use whatever you like. And with the Uni Jetstream Ballpoint ink, the paper doesn't matter, either, because it can rain all over your writing and that ink won't run or smear, and the Jetstream will keep writing on wet paper. I will put in a vote for the Kokuyo Campus Sarasara paper, though --I prefer it in graph-- the Jetstream slides over that paper like it's on ice. Water will make the corners curl a bit and it might get a little wavy, but it won't fall apart or turn all soft after it dries.

[@molly_in_mke]

Not a note taking tip, but a studying tip. For college would find an empty room to study in with a white board and would write key concepts on the board with my study group. Writing again helped keep it in my head

[@henatashoyo]

Thank you 😊❤

[@hiimbonsai]

That white board is cool

[@thantseknyein]

(1) get rid of distractions me watching this video in the middle of my study..

[@1983Wells]

I have an incoming senior in HS, so I'm going to share this with her. But also, it wasn't that long ago that I was in law school, and a lot of this information and products would help any post-grad student. My only minor quibble: Some students (me, I was the student) have ADHD or other neurodivergencies that make quiet focusing impossible--we need a clicky pen, a fidget toy, or some way to move our hands/body in order to focus. I'd love to see suggestions for quiet fidget toys or "fidget pens" that allow us to move and fidget without our classmates despising us. Do you have any putty erasers or fidget toys?

[@Mahamations]

bro went from pen dealer to a full-on studying channel-

[@rebekahgrace-]

i am starting school this month (or maybe the beginning of next month, i'm homeschooled and i haven't decided yet, haha) and all my classes will be lecture-style this year so i can have an excuse to buy more stationery - "i need to take notes!" :) my order is ready to go, i'm just waiting for my paycheck to come in.

[@gloopygoldfish493]

I haven’t watched the video yet, but as school is coming up, I’ll really need this!

[@Ki1aGam3z]

Me: in elementary school but watching this

[@leonardopacheco2568]

I wish I've known Jetpens when I was a student... Surely I'm gonna introduce it to my children! Let's hope they are crazy about stationary like me hahahahha

[@ohrikizz]

0:40 bt21

[@heidi1574]

do you guys have any tips for notetaking in college? im a rising college freshman and super nervous - any tips would help!

[@piagebot2943]

Most of the time professors will have all the lecture material needed before class. If your college has free printing, print out slideshows that they post and write on those! Saves time and allows you to listen better since you dont have to copy the presentation

[@darakristi]

Yes, yes, yes! Listen to @piagebot2943 -- It is so helpful to print out PowerPoint slides, can't emphasize this enough! You know exactly what is useful for their exams because it came straight from the professor, you can annotate quickly without having to write down entire concepts before they move on or risk having only partial notes, and more time to listen! If they don't upload them, be sure to ask for them yourself and print them BEFORE class so you can follow along. Don't be nervous, everything is scarier and more intimidating in your head than in reality.

[@LaLa_ArtGal]

Agreed! Printing out the slides beforehand is GREAT! Then a highlighter is so helpful! Some classes will be best fitting as many slides as possible on one page; for others, you can format the page with just a few slides that you can put lines for notes beside each slide. By the third session, you'll know which style best suits each class.

[@piagebot2943]

@@LaLa_ArtGal I usually go with two slides per page because once you get smaller than that you can’t even read it lol. I like drawing arrows to concepts that are written down and expanding upon them with what the professor says in the blank space. I find two slides gives you the most room without squishing the words together when annotating other slides.

[@isixqueenxofxmadness]

WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN ok not everything but anything you don't have written un text and whatever the professor emphasizes. A professor told this to me and I think it's been the most useful practice I've learned. Anything you might need to remember, never say "well it's very important so obviously I'll remember" YOU WILL FORGET. WRITE IT DOWN.

[@zurisadaijeronimo4746]

im taking psychology this year and mt teacher wants us to take good notes because there is a lot of material to remember

[@alicelittlejohn1675]

Ok I’m a British college student and this is so helpful

[@TransistorBased]

It's too bad I didn't have this video 10 years ago

[@darakristi]

Right?! Although I only cared about the fun pens 10 years ago, not the actual studying and application. lol.

[@will.]

THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@sameeralazawee7524]

Thank you

[@HudaAfsheen]

Hey 👋 @jetpens Pretty good video helped me make my note aesthetics ✨️ But i wanted to buy some of those pens and hilighter which u havd mentioned in your video, I wanted to ask if it is available in india!?

[@user-qh1ew9re9c]

i want cute inexpensive notebooks for various notetaking

[@sasidharana7460]

I have a tip to study the notes: After taking notes, write a paragraph using those points and then review that paragraph. You will be able to write answers easily an effectively during exams.

[@darakristi]

I really need to go back and finish my bachelor's degree. Someone send me encouragement to go because I'm having a hard time getting the ball rolling. :/

[@wildbill23c]

If you are able to do so, absolutely go finish your degree....you may not need it now, but you never know, it might open some doors for you in the future.

[@LaLa_ArtGal]

Do you know what you want to study?

[@Erni3K]

It's HARD to go back, in terms of money and time, but you really have a jump on the game once you get in class. You aren't worried about the cute kid, will the professor like me, and you're going to be a lot more focused on your schoolwork than you were before. Me, college GPA was 2.02. Me goes back to school: GPA 3.96 cause I loved the stuff I was studying and the homework was a nice break from all the bs at my job and the divorce I was going through. Don't try to do it all at once, and take some stuff out of your field; you may find the thing that lights you up like a xmas tree. Tiny steps will get you there.

[@andreakisil5676]

Do it! I finished my BA Dec 2022! I pecked away at it for years while raising my boys and working. I feel so good about myself, I completed my personal goal. I did it online through Columbia College in MO.

[@Multi2794]

😊

[@vishalmantre58]

Which app you used to make your videos

[@dennysripoff]

can yall do this for college as well? im an incoming freshman in uni and im a little worried lol

[@shreenikashreenika8711]

Hey JetPens!! Thankyou for this video♡....But my doubt is that how to take or make bullet points. Can you say and help me...please..... Btw love from India 🇮🇳🇮🇳😘

[@pages.tunes.and.lens4]

What's the pen at 1:27???

[@JetPens]

Here you go: www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Acroball-M-Series-Ballpoint-Pen-0.5-mm-Ivory-Body-Black-Ink/pd/20617

[@ayushiambarik9749]

me who got distracted and is watching this video now 💀👍🏻

[@lonescribbles693]

studying with my classmates is the worst thing i can before exams but anyways i love ur vids

[@cziegle3794]

Yay first comment and top 3 likes. Love this channel. Best to you and your family. Thanks for making this video.

[@NandigamS]

Ayo jetpens do u have any suggestions for an alternative to the uniball jetstream? The jetstream ink just runs out too fast and sometimes it blotches (jetstream sx 217) I want something fast and good for cursive

[@JetPens]

Hi there! If you want a smooth ballpoint, we recommend the Pilot Acroball: www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Acro-Acroball-Ballpoint-Pens/ct/1211

[@Kiyabythebay]

I'm not in high school but I wanted the tips anyways!

[@sineliseisforskz]

this whole vid was an ad for stationary😂

[@MangeTak-t6n]

I enjoy this video very much then.

[@TheWanderingFire]

Are those "highschoolers" drinking black coffee at study group? 😂

[@anthea6669]

Why is it weird? 😅

[@TheWanderingFire]

@@anthea6669 It's unusual, at least in North America.

[@LaLa_ArtGal]

​@@TheWanderingFireMaybe these days. When I was in high school, it was pretty normal.

[@Erni3K]

They .... might be jetpen staffers....

[@YamamaIsgood-i9e]

The video “only high schoolers” Me as a 5th grader whatching this 😂😂

[@anitalamapachita]

Learn how to do conceptual trees or diagrams 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 When you are studying subjects linked with others that you should study or already studied its easy to get confused, creating a diagram with the connection between each item helps you map those ideas.

[@Jenny-kk7ij]

Me watching this as a college sophomore :0

[@SunshineFL]

❤

[@Breadwithouttopping2378]

Jet Pens, what about middle school?

[@SenseiCacti]

So let me get this straight : You believe that distractions (which everyone knows is wrong to keep), bullet points (universally known), dotted books, sticky notes, pens, more sticky notes, and distractions (your friends) will help. The only valid point is the bullet point thing. Everything else is dumb