Taking notes quickly
Sometimes you will need to take notes about what you hear. But people talk fast! It’s a good idea to learn how to take notes faster.
Two tips for taking notes faster are:
1. learn some common note taking symbols
2. drop vowels or endings of words
Here are some common note-taking symbols used in English. Can you guess what they mean? First, say what you thing they mean, then click on the card to show the answer. (They might have other meanings, too.)
+ or &
and
b/4
before
aft
after
Q. or ?
question
A.
answer
w/ or w/o
with or without
≠
not/doesn’t, isn’t, won’t (anything negative)
v. imp
very important (also: N.B. = nota bena)
ex.
example (also: e.g.)
2x
two times/twice
÷ (also: vs)
divided/against
?
up, goes up, increases, more, above, exceeds
?
down, goes down, decreases, below, less than
min, hr, yr
minutes, hours, years
?
done/checked
@
at used w/ time: @6pm; place: @breakroom
≤ or ≥
less than (or more than)
esp.
especially
/hr, /wk, /mo
every hour/week/month
→
becomes/leads to/causes
ASAP
As Soon As Possible (=quickly!)
These common note taking symbols are available to download in the menu above.