How to Take Notes While Watching Online Courses

3 weeks ago 10 Minutes

Note-taking while watching courses

Table of Contents

Introduction

Many people who use online educational courses face a recurring question while watching videos: Is it really necessary to take notes while watching the training, or does it just disrupt focus and slow down the learning process? This doubt is completely natural, especially when courses are intensive, project-based, and time-consuming, and the learner wants to achieve practical results as quickly as possible.

The truth is that if note-taking is not done correctly, it can be time-consuming and even counterproductive. However, if done properly, purposefully, and tailored to the type of course, it becomes one of the most powerful learning tools. The main difference between these two scenarios lies in the “method” of note-taking, not the act of writing itself. Many successful learners have experienced faster growth not because they watched more courses, but because they learned more deeply.

In this article, we will examine in a completely practical and results-oriented way when note-taking during educational courses is necessary, when it is considered a waste of time, and how to write notes that directly lead to deeper learning and better execution of exercises. To make the topic more tangible, we will use a single example throughout the article: someone learning Photoshop through a video course who wants to be able to execute real graphic projects after finishing the course without constantly referring back to the videos.

Is note-taking while watching educational courses really necessary?

Many learners think that since videos are always available, there is no need to take notes and they can refer back to the video whenever needed. This mindset seems logical at first glance, but in practice, it leads to excessive dependence on the video and reduces the ability to mentally retrieve information. The result of this dependence is usually that the person feels unable to continue working without access to the video.

Note-taking shifts the mind from being a passive consumer to an active learner. When a user takes notes on key points related to tools, techniques, or overall workflow while watching a Photoshop course, the brain is forced to process, summarize, and reconstruct the information. This active process is what allows the material to move from short-term memory to long-term memory.

How does note-taking help the learning process?

The first benefit of note-taking is increased focus. When a user knows they need to record a point, they listen to the video with greater attention and care. In the Photoshop course example, instead of passive watching, the learner actively seeks answers to the question: “What problem does this section solve exactly, and in what situations does it apply?”

The second major advantage of note-taking is creating a personalized reference. Unlike slides or the instructor’s explanations, notes are written precisely based on individual needs and weaknesses. For example, a user might struggle with skills like precise subject cutting with the Pen Tool, lighting and color adjustment with Adjustment Layers, or professional face retouching, and decide to focus their notes only on these sections rather than the entire course content.

The third important effect of note-taking is preparing the mind for execution. When material is written in one’s own language and understanding, the gap between “knowing” and “doing” is significantly reduced. In practice, notes help the user in the following ways:

  • Quick review of key points before starting practical work in Photoshop
  • Preventing common mistakes when editing images
  • Increasing confidence when executing exercises and real projects

A common misconception about note-taking

One of the most common misconceptions is that note-taking means writing everything down. Many learners try to record almost everything the instructor says, and as a result, they either fall behind the video or completely lose focus.

Effective note-taking means conscious selection, not complete recording of content. In a Photoshop training course, there is no need to fully write down every step or tool the instructor demonstrates, since the video and exercises are always available. What is truly worth noting are the points that contribute to deeper understanding and practical application, including:

  • The reason for using a specific tool or technique in a particular situation
  • Subtle, experience-based tips from the instructor while working with images
  • Common user mistakes and suggested solutions
  • Situations where one tool or method gives better results than alternatives

By correcting this misconception, note-taking transforms from a tiring and time-consuming activity into a purposeful and practical tool for learning Photoshop—one that helps the user tangibly feel real progress.

What characteristics make note-taking good and effective?

Effective note-taking means recording points that directly contribute to deeper understanding and practical execution of the material, not merely accumulating information. The goal is not to store the entire course content but to help recall the correct workflow later without needing to rewatch the video and make more informed decisions.

Proper note-taking typically has these characteristics:

  • Short, clear, and quickly reviewable
  • Written in simple language suited to personal understanding
  • Focused on “why” and “when to use” tools, not repeating steps
  • Includes warnings and common mistakes
  • Has practical application during real projects

Good notes should act like a quick, personal guide—so that when the user encounters a challenge during practical work, a glance at the notes tells them exactly what to do or what mistake to avoid.

Practical example of effective notes in a Photoshop training course

Instead of writing down every step the instructor performs, an effective note about subject cutting could look like this:

  • Tool: Pen Tool
  • Main use: Precise cutting of subjects with smooth, clear edges
  • Key tip: The path must be completely closed to create an accurate selection
  • Common mistake: Using Pen Tool for hair or very soft edges
  • Better alternative: Select Subject + Refine Edge for complex subjects

Or for color adjustment:

  • Tool: Adjustment Layers
  • Advantage: Non-destructive editing with the ability to adjust at any stage
  • Key tip: Use Curves and Color Balance separately
  • Common mistake: Applying changes directly to the main image layer

Such notes may not be lengthy, but they are exactly what takes Photoshop learning beyond just watching videos and turns it into a practical, usable, and lasting skill.

Note-taking before, during, and after watching the course

Before watching the video

Before starting each training session, it is very important to know exactly what you are going to learn. This stage gives direction to note-taking and prevents scattered notes. The best approach is to review the session title and topics before playing the video and write down a few specific questions for yourself.

Sample questions to write before watching:

  • What skill is this session supposed to add to me?
  • In which part of my work or learning path does this training have the most application?
  • What mistakes am I likely to encounter in this topic?

These questions keep your mind active while watching the video and subconsciously searching for answers instead of just being a passive viewer.

During watching the video

At this stage, note-taking should be completely selective and smart. The goal is not to write everything but to record points that might be forgotten or cause confusion in practice without notes.

While watching, it’s best to focus on:

  • Important decisions made by the instructor (why they choose a particular tool or method)
  • Experience-based tips not usually found in slides
  • Warnings, limitations, and common user errors
  • Examples that can serve as templates for problem-solving in other projects

Short pauses for writing are sufficient at this stage. If you have to constantly pause the video, you are likely taking too many notes.

After watching the video

After the video ends, the most important part of note-taking begins. Notes taken during watching are usually raw, scattered, and incomplete. Now is the time to review and organize them.

At this stage, you can:

  • Turn notes into a few short, practical bullet points
  • Remove repetitive or low-importance points
  • Highlight the most important mistakes and warnings
  • Write a short summary of the session’s application in real work

This final review helps solidify the material in your mind and turns notes into a tool you can quickly and confidently refer to when working on real projects.

Digital notes or paper notes?

Taking notes on paper is still appealing to some people and certainly not worthless. However, when it comes to online educational courses, digital note-taking has significant advantages that cannot be ignored.

  • Always accessible
    Paper notes can be left behind, lost, or unavailable when needed most. Digital notes, on the other hand, are always with you and accessible from any device you log into.
  • Direct connection to content
    This is the most important difference. Paper notes are separate from the educational content, but digital notes are directly linked to the same course and video, keeping notes and learning material together in one place.
  • Fast and easy search
    Finding a specific point among various pages of a notebook can be time-consuming. With digital notes, you can quickly search, review, and even jump back to the exact video section.
  • Effortless organization
    Many of us have experienced cluttered, disorganized notebooks. In digital note-taking, every point is stored in its proper place: each course, session, and topic is neatly structured.
  • Suitable for today’s busy minds
    In a world where we constantly switch between tabs, apps, and tasks, tool simplicity matters. Taking notes in the same environment where you watch the training reduces mental load, increases focus, and streamlines the learning process.

Geet platform note-taking feature

How does note-taking inside the Geet platform help learning?

Here, the in-platform note-taking feature plays an important role in the learning process. It allows learners to record personal notes directly on the same page while watching the video, without leaving the learning environment or using external tools.

Note-taking beside the video eliminates any gap between “learning” and “recording a point.” Users capture insights exactly when they occur—when they have the greatest impact on understanding and retention.

The in-platform note-taking feature has several key characteristics that distinguish it from regular note-taking:

  • Each note is linked to the exact course and session being watched
  • Notes can be timestamped to a specific moment in the video
  • Access to notes right next to the content is fast and simple
  • All notes are saved in the user account and always available

These features turn note-taking from an extra task into a natural part of the learning flow. Users know that any point recorded in the moment will later be accessible exactly in the same educational context and at the same video timestamp.

In practical terms, this feature is extremely helpful in real learning situations. Imagine in session three of a Photoshop course, at minute 12, the instructor explains a common but important mistake in image lighting. You immediately write a short note:

“Minute 12, session 3: If base lighting isn’t corrected before adjusting Curves, the result looks unnatural.”

Weeks later, while working on a real graphic project, you encounter exactly this problem. Instead of searching the internet or rewatching the entire video, you go to your notes, click on that note, and jump straight to that minute of the training.

This means faster, more targeted learning—less time spent and deeper, longer-lasting retention.

Conclusion: Is note-taking time-consuming or time-saving?

Returning to the initial question of the article, we realize that note-taking is neither inherently time-consuming nor time-saving; the method determines the outcome. Incorrect, aimless note-taking can slow down learning, but when done consciously and purposefully, it actually saves time in practice.

Note-taking ensures important points are captured immediately, future reviews are faster, and the path to results is shorter. When learners no longer need to return to videos or search from scratch for every point, focus and learning speed increase noticeably.

The key is that note-taking doesn’t have to mean writing long texts. Sometimes a short sentence, a warning, or a key tip has the greatest impact. The next time you watch an educational course, try writing just one short but purposeful note—you’ll soon notice that learning becomes simpler, faster, and more lasting.

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