Tips to Make Notes Like a Topper

Most students think that simply writing whatever the teacher says counts as note-making, but real note-making is a skill. Good notes reduce half your study load because they save you from last-minute panic before exams. Usually, students search for trending YouTube lectures when exams approach, hoping for a magical revision shortcut. But toppers never depend on last-minute videos. Why? Because they build their notes consistently from Day 1. When you prepare notes properly, you understand concepts better, revise faster, and retain longer. Many students often ask, “How do toppers make such effective notes?” Here is the complete, practical guide.

Types of Notes

Toppers rely on two types of notes, and both are equally important:

 Long notes

Short (pocket) notes

Don’t skip either—each serves its own purpose.

1. Long Notes (“Long Story Notes”)

When to Make Them

Made during class or immediately after the lecture.

Complete them within one hour of finishing the class while the memory is fresh.

Why Long Notes Matter 

 Long notes help in regular revision and build your base understanding. When you are solving questions days later, the first place you should refer to is your own notebook—not a video lecture. These notes contain your teacher’s explanations, examples, and your own understanding, which makes them far more reliable and personalised than external sources.

How to Make Long Notes 

1. Don’t Write Everything

Write only the main explanations, important concepts, and one example numerical. Additional numericals should be written in a separate practice notebook, keep your notes clean.

2. Don’t Waste Time Making Them “Beautiful”

Fancy titles, sketch pens, and calligraphy waste time. Notes should look clear, simple, and readable, not artistic.

3. Use Short Forms

Use abbreviations, symbols, and even your personal slang. It saves time and makes revision faster.

4. Highlight Formulas & Key Points

Put formulas inside boxes or circles. Mark important points with stars or bullets so they stand out during revision.

5. Leave Space at the End

Keep 3–4 blank pages to add extra information you discover later while solving questions.

2. Short Notes (“Pocket Notes”)

When to Make Them

 Made after completing a chapter.

 Used the most before unit tests, periodic tests, midterms, pre-boards, and boards.

Why Short Notes Matter 

 Before exams, lifting a full register becomes difficult and time-consuming. Short notes condense the entire chapter into 1–2 pages, giving you a quick and sharp revision tool. They save hours, reduce stress, and make last-minute preparation efficient.

How to Make Short Notes

Short notes must be compact, crisp, and exam-oriented. Don’t rewrite the whole chapter, only the essence. Your goal is to capture what you would revise just before entering the exam hall.

 1. Fit the Chapter on 1–2 Pages

Use an A4 sheet, divide it into columns, and write only the most important points.

 2. What to Include

• Definitions
• What, Why, How (one-line explanations)
•  Key formulas
•  Important points
•  Small summaries

 Example (Rainbow):

 What is a rainbow? – 1 line

 Why does it form? – 1 line

 How does it form? – 1–2 lines

 Short notes = the entire chapter in a nutshell.

 3. Use Small but Clear Handwriting

Write small to save space, but ensure readability.

 4. Add Flowcharts & Mind Maps

Some chapters are easier to revise with diagrams. Mind maps help your short notes become visually strong and easy to remember.

 Golden Rule

 The most powerful notes are the ones you make yourself. Notes written in your own handwriting, in your own language, and using your own understanding have the highest recall value. They match your learning style, contain your personal memory cues, and help you revise faster than any borrowed or photocopied notes. Avoid relying on others, your own notes will always help you the most.