for the note-taker who captures structure, not dictation
Goal
Capture a lecture's central idea and branching sub-points without transcribing.
Source principle
For lectures, place the main idea at the center and branch outward: capture structure, not dictation. : from How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport.
The plan
- 📋7:00-7:10 PMPreview tomorrow's syllabus topic, set up the blank page.
- ⭐7:10-7:15 PMDraw the center node: today's lecture main idea.
- 🌿7:15-7:35 PMCapture 4-6 branches from today's lecture, from memory.
- 🧩7:35-7:45 PMPull out class notes, fill any blanks you missed.
- ❓7:45-7:50 PMMark questions with a star, don't answer them yet.
- 📄7:50-8:10 PMCondense the starburst to a single page.
- ✂️8:10-8:20 PMOne page, one lecture, keep it tight.
- 🗄️8:20-8:30 PMFile the page in the folder for Sunday's weekly review.
- 🛌8:30-8:35 PMClose the notes, done for tonight.