How I Take Notes as a Working College Student

So, you’re a student in college with a job. How can you take notes while balancing work, school, and life?

In this post, I’ll share my method for taking notes, that has helped me successfully pass classes and understand material as a working student.

I actually read the textbook.

When I first returned to college as a working student, I was able to get away with just reading the study guides for my non-textbook reliant classes.

However, with a technical class like Accounting, it’s like another language. After freaking out for a while, I finally decided to bite the bullet and read the textbook from the beginning.

As I read, I take notes on key terms, processes, and concepts using the Question and Response method. You’ll see more about this in the next section. Diving into the text has been an absolute gamechanger in reducing stress and procrastination, because I see results; I understand the lingo the more I read.

I use the Question and Response method.

I think of a question related to something I need to know about from the textbook. Then I write it down.

Under it, I craft an answer that answers the question. This is what I call the Question and Response method.

Here’s how I use the Question and Response Method in my notetaking as a working student. It helps me stay organized and retain more information.

I do this because it helps me to not just copy the key terms in the book. Instead, I have to think about how to rephrase the information into a question and answer format. This helps me to increase understanding of the topics.

I Handwrite My Notes.

I used to use online programs to type out my notes. They can be nice when you need to get a bunch of text written down in a little bit of time. However, because I’m a fast typer, I found myself just typing what I saw in the book.

This did not help me learn or retain the material.

Although it is more time consuming, handwriting my class notes forces me to not just go through the motions.

If you have trouble retaining information when taking notes, try writing them down instead.

I wake up before work to take notes.

Handwriting notes takes more time. It just is what it is.

So, I’ve been waking up an hour or two earlier than usual. It’s rough at first, but it is so worth it. I went from panicked and behind in the class, to caught up and confident.

Since I work full time, I have limited time throughout the day to study as deeply as I need to. If you’re in the same boat, it’s time to make more time by getting up earlier.

I’ve learned that discipline now brings freedom later. It also reduces energy drainage.

I keep all my notes for a subject in one place.

I use the Samsung Notes app on my Galaxy Tab S6. I got this tablet 5 years ago, and it’s still amazing (not an ad).

One of the cool features is that it comes with a stylus (called an S-Pen) that allows me to write my notes as if I was writing on paper. This simplicity is why I have taken my college class notes using this method. Plus, I can easily access my notes whenever I need to.

Here’s my Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 and my S-pen (on the right).

Whether you decide to take notes on your tablet, or physically write them in a paper notebook, the same point stands: Make sure your notes are all together.

I’m taking Accounting 1 right now, which is a prerequisite for more advanced Accounting courses. If you have classes like these, making sure that you’re able to reference your notes in the future is extra important.

I find easy ways to make my notes pretty.

As I mentioned before, my style of note taking with my Samsung tablet has allowed me to simplify my process. This means that I can easily fix errors, change pen colors, and even change the page colors! I use these features to my advantage. For example,

I use different colored inks for different days of note-taking. This helps me to see how many notes I’ve taken in a particular day, and break up the monotony of just writing with one color.

Here’s an example of me using different colors for different parts of my notes. I use the blue for examples or formulas.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Your notes are meant to serve you, so don’t become a slave to the aesthetic. Start simple, then you can add more decorative elements as you go along.

I enjoy the learning process as I take notes.

It’s so easy to go through the motions and just take the class to say you completed it

For some courses (i.e., general education), we can do it. But for those more advanced or technical classes, surface level engagement won’t cut it.

So, I’ve been able to find ways to tie what I’m learning back to my personal life.

In my Accounting course, for example, I remember some of my previous business ventures. I’ve been able to connect the concepts to my experiences with those.

I’m also able to apply course concepts to what I encounter at my job. If you have a hard time learning or staying motivated in online classes, here’s some tips that have helped me [link].

Conclusion

I hope you found these tips helpful for taking notes as a working student.

The goal is to maximize learning while reducing the amount of energy spent. If you feel like you’re running low on time, I’ve found that getting up earlier is the best way to fix this.

For more tips for working students, be sure to join the email list down below.