How to Take Notes on MacBook in College: Ideas You Should Master

If there is something you should master as a student across all academic levels, then it has to be note-taking. Needless to say, notes act as references and records of information shared in class. Moreover, note-taking allows you to remain attentive in the classroom. In the modern world, technology has changed the note-taking process as new smart devices and applications continue to emerge.

The MacBook is one of the devices that has revolutionized how learners take notes during classroom or other academic activities. There are several ways you can take notes on a MacBook in college, irrespective of the academic activity or setting. However, before settling on one of the approaches that I will discuss below, you should evaluate your need to work with the best note-taking apps for Mac.

5 Ways to Take Notes on MacBook in College

1. Choose the most appropriate apps. One of the effective ways of taking notes using a MacBook is by identifying the applications that suit your needs. There are numerous good note-taking apps for Mac you can install to improve the experience. Most of the applications are designed to make the process easier as well as organize your notes for ease of access and to avoid clutter.
2. Leverage the Keyboard shortcuts. If there is something that improves the note-taking experience, then it is efficiency. As professional essay writers on CustomWritings writing company explain, efficient note-taking allows learners to effectively manage their time, improving their concentration and focus. As a result, learners will improve their performance. Using keyboard shortcuts will help you to effectively and efficiently take and manage your notes. Examples of these shortcuts include copy and paste, undo, redo, etc.
3. Develop a system for note-taking. Another important tip when taking notes on a MacBook in college is to create a strong system that allows you to not only take notes easily but also access them. You can create folders and save them at dedicated locations in your MacBook for ease of retrieval. You can organize your folders according to subjects or topics to ensure you easily locate them when you need to use them. Also, ensure that you organize your work within the folders to locate them easily.
4. Keep your MacBook up to date. Another important consideration you should make is to ensure that your MacBook is up-to-date and well-maintained to avoid instances that hinder note-taking. Issues such as non-functioning hardware, such as keyboard or software glitches, will hinder you from accomplishing your academic goals. Ensuring that your computer is up and running guarantees that you capture all information during lectures.
5. Make use of multimedia features. You could improve your note-taking experience by leveraging the multimedia features of your MacBook. You should look for good visual representation as you write to not only enhance the note-taking experience but also increase memorability. You can use third-party or inbuilt applications to help you include multimedia in your note-taking activities. Images will help you clarify complex information you might not conceptualize immediately during the lecture.

7 Best Note-Taking Apps for Mac

There are numerous applications you can use to take notes on your MacBook. As you choose the best for you, ensure you understand how well it works and fits your needs. Here are 7 leading apps I would recommend for you.

1. Notes: It is an easy-to-use application that will take your writing to the next level. The application perfectly works with macOS operating and allows you to take short notes in whatever setting you are in. One of the best things about this application is that the notes can be synchronized across different devices that use Apple iCloud.
2. Evernote: This is another innovative application that makes note-taking seamless and easy for students. The app, developed by Evernote Corporation, not only helps you to take notes but also enables you to manage them. The app allows you to store your notes and easily retrieve them from any device. It has powerful organization features, which makes it one of the best applications for note-taking.
3. Apple Notes: The list wouldn't be complete without including the Apple Notes. The app is developed by Apple Inc. and, therefore, functions excellently with the macOS operating system. The app has powerful features that include rich text formatting, and drawing tools, among others. It is an app that college students using MacBooks must possess.
4. Zoho Notebook: Another excellent application I would recommend for you is the Zoho Notebook. This application allows you to leverage multimedia features by allowing you to include audio files, images, and checklists. It is one of the best and most intuitive note-taking applications for college students.
5. Turtl: Turtl is another innovative note-taking application that will help create notes that are encrypted. Additionally, the application will help you organize your notes on boards for excellent categorization. Another positive about the app is that it is compatible with different devices. Therefore, you can access your notes from different Apple devices.
6. Notability: This is another innovative application that allows you to take handwritten notes on your MacBook. It integrates the Apple pencil for students using the iPad. Besides, the application supports multimedia such as images and audio files. If you are conducting research online, you can draft notes and sketches with ease using the app.
7. Ulysses: Sometimes you need to write long-form papers and essays or any other academic work. Ulysses is the application to go to. It is designed primarily to support users in creating large content with ease. In addition, the application has markdown support and organizational features.

Since each of the applications has its unique features, it is important for you to decide what you need to ensure you get the most appropriate one. Remember, you should only access or download these applications from their official websites or Mac App Store. That way, you are sure to protect yourself from malicious applications. It is also advisable to keep on researching to get the most innovative apps that are continually emerging for the best experience.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, effective note-taking is an important academic activity in class that not only contributes but also determines how well you perform. During lectures, you need to capture as much information as possible and carefully organize it for easy retrieval. For that reason, you need to embrace the most appropriate application that is compatible with the MacBook to enhance your note-taking experience. Since there are numerous applications that can help achieve this goal, you should keep researching and comparing the differentiating features to ensure you get the best application. Also, consider other factors such as usability, compatibility, security features, and support of multimedia files such as images and audio files.