Why is it so important to take notes in school and university instead of just listening to the lecturer? It may seem like an outdated habit, but in reality, this practice helps you absorb information much more effectively.
Notes are not just useful for reviewing material later — they are one of the most powerful tools for memory.
Psychologist and professor Daniel Willingham writes in his book Why Don’t Students Like School? that “memory is the residue of thought.” In simple terms, we remember what we actively think about. Information that is merely spoken to us doesn’t always stick, while ideas we process ourselves are far more likely to be remembered. Other people’s words fade faster than thoughts we’ve worked through on our own.
When you take notes in your own words, you’re forced to reframe someone else’s ideas into a form that makes sense to you. This mental effort — transforming information instead of copying it — significantly increases the chances that the knowledge will be stored in long-term memory.
Numerous studies show that handwritten notes, especially those with arrows, diagrams, and personal doodles in the margins, improve memory retention. In other words, adding a bit of creativity to your notes helps your brain remember better. That’s also why typing notes is less effective: it may be faster, but it’s too mechanical and repetitive to truly engage attention and focus.
