Taking notes has been shown to improve recall abilities, problem-solving ability, and learning outcomes. However, simply writing down information without organizing or reviewing it may not be as effective. Research suggests that writing notes by hand can improve retention of material, as it forces individuals to use their own words to summarize ideas and suss out the most important information. Using orienting tasks while taking notes, such as finding connections between new information and existing knowledge, can also enhance memory retention. Staying organized through categorization and filing notes can make it easier to review and recall them later. By adopting these approaches, individuals can build strong note-taking habits that improve their learning outcomes and retention of information.