How to use AI to help you take better notes

While AI is a powerful tool for things like research or content creation, it can also help you learn new note-taking techniques and give you tips on how to take better notes. Learn about the different ways you can use AI to take better notes.

Use AI to help you learn about new note-taking techniques

You can use AI to help you uncover new note-taking techniques that you might not have heard of before. AI can also break down what makes one note-taking style different from the next. Here are some example prompts you can try in your favorite AI platform:

• What is the best note-taking method?
• What is the Cornell method?
• What does the mapping note-taking method look like?
• What’s the difference between the charting note-taking method and the mapping method?

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Convert your notes to a new format using AI

If you have existing notes that you typed up in OneNote or Word, you can use AI to turn them into a new format for you. This can help you save time, try out new note taking methods, and figure out which note-taking method you like the most. Simply copy and paste your notes into your favorite AI platform and try these prompts:

• Can you use my notes and turn them into Cornell notes?
• Can you use my notes and change them to the charting note-taking method?
• Can you convert my existing notes into the outlining method?
• Can you simplify my notes?

Get notetaking tips using AI

AI can help you learn to become a better note taker by providing tailored note-taking tips. Remember, the effectiveness of note-taking methods can vary based on your personal learning style, so it’s worth experimenting with different approaches. Try these prompts to get AI notetaking tips:

• How can I take better notes?
• How many notes should I be taking during a 60-minute lecture?
• How can I take notes in OneNote?
• Is it better to type or handwrite notes?
• I have to read a few chapters in my science textbook for homework. How can I take good notes based on what I read?

Create a note-taking key with AI

Leverage symbols and abbreviations to accelerate your note-taking process significantly. For example, if you’re taking an American history class, you can use the abbreviation “GW” for “George Washington” so that you don’t have to write out his full name. AI can help you come up with abbreviations and symbols that you can save and reference for future note-taking sessions. Try these prompts to get ideas for symbols and abbreviations in your notes:

• I’m learning about Jane Austen in my literature class. What are some symbols and abbreviations I can use to make my note taking easier and faster?
• I’m taking an astronomy course. What are some symbols and abbreviations I can use in my notes that are related to astronomy?
• What are some symbols and abbreviations I can use to take faster algebra notes?

Color-code your notes with AI

Color-coding your notes can help you stay organized and help you pay better attention when you review them. While some AI platforms won’t color-code your notes for you, you can still ask for color-coding recommendations. Here are some examples of questions that you can ask AI:

• What’s the best way to color-code science notes?
• What colors can I use in my notes to improve memory retention?
• What’s the most efficient way I can color-code my notes?
• How can I color-code my notes in OneNote?

Taking quality notes is crucial if you want to retain information. For a deeper dive into effective note taking, see how OneNote for collaborative note taking can transform your approach to note taking.