Note-taking is an important part of all levels of education.

Elementary, middle school, high school, and college students all take notes throughout the school day to help them learn and remember what they’re learning.

Teachers and professors at all levels expect their students to listen and respond accordingly so that they know their students are paying attention. However, traditional note-taking isn’t always the best option.

Some people are visual learners and prefer visual note-taking instead of traditional word-oriented note-taking. Visual note-taking can still include some words, but they often feature various doodles that help the note-taker make sense of what they’re listening to.

While some people may have been told not to doodle in the past, there are some surprising benefits of marginal doodling that college students and younger students can unlock if given the opportunity.

Doodling Improves Retention

All forms of note-taking improve retention. Some studies show that writing by hand improves retention better than note-taking on a computer, although typing notes is often more efficient. Additional studies have shown that visual note-taking can improve retention even more than handwritten notes.

Researchers are still trying to figure out why this is. Most people, especially visual learners who can share their personal experiences, believe it’s because visual note-taking improves the connection with the material.

When your brain connects what you’re listening to when you’re writing, you can digest and retain the information. Putting the information in your own words and further connecting it with pictures adds another layer to the retention process.

Doodling Relieves Stress

School, especially college, is stressful. It demands a lot of time, attention, and mental energy that can leave you feeling drained. Doodling during your lectures is a great way to continue active listening while giving your brain a creative break.

Your pen is still on the page, and you can still connect with the information, but the creativity of pictures instead of words allows for a mental break. This relieves mental stress, which in turn can improve mental clarity.

Mental clarity is necessary as you go about your school day. You need to stay sharp for all your academic content, as well as additional responsibilities, such as extracurriculars and jobs. Doodling in the margins of your notes and elsewhere keeps your mind clear and ready to tackle all of these responsibilities.

Doodling Transfers to Professional Life

One of the most important parts of college is transferring the skills you learn into your professional life. Depending on your desired career field, you’ll probably end up note-taking during meetings and other parts of your professional life. This means you can end up with the same need to retain information and the same risk of mental stress as when you were in school.

Even in your professional situation, doodle in your notes, no matter what they are. Doodling is also one way you can use a wide-margin Bible for in-depth study during seminary or regular church attendance.

You can doodle in the margins of your grocery list to help you remember last-minute items. You can doodle as you take notes in a business meeting. The professional and personal applications of doodling are endless.

There are many benefits of marginal doodling for college students and anyone who must take notes. Unlocking these benefits can make you a better student and professional, helping you to increase retention of important information throughout your life.

Image By: GalakticDreamer – License: 309641580

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