Free Digital Notebook (Hyperlinked)

This week I designed a free digital notebook you can download as part of Anja Home’s freebie aesthetic collection.

Indeed, with my aesthetic

2024/2025 Free Goodnotes Templates for Students

and a minimal

2025 Digital Planner

, this free digital notebook completes the entire college life organization tools.

Free Digital Notebook – What’s inside?

This aesthetic digital notebook comes with 12 tabs and 30+ paper templates.

All tabs are hyperlinked.

Also, this minimal digital notebook includes an index page so you can easily access different sections.

Last but not least, you can choose from over 30 template pages:

• lined paper templates (with different margin sizes, Cornell layouts)
• grid paper options (with similar variations to the lined templates)
• dotted pages (with similar variations to the lined templates)
• blank pages (with similar variations to the lined templates)
• unique formats (monthly grid, weekly grids, to-do lists, kanban board, mind map)

Basically, all you need to do is duplicate them and insert them into each section as many times as you want.

Mastering the Art of Note-Taking with Free Digital Notebook

So it wasn’t that long ago that I sat in a lecture or read a textbook, thinking I was good with all of the material, only to realize later that I barely remember anything.

Can you relate?

In fact, I used to note down everything I could during the class, hoping it would somehow make sense when I reviewed it later.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

But guess what?

Firstly, I noticed that it didn’t matter what I wrote down.

Basically, the key was how I wrote it.

Then I spent quite some time learning everything about different methods of note-taking.

So, apart from sharing with you a free digital notebook, today I want to share a few note-taking techniques to try out.

Undoubtedly, it’s never too late to find a note-taking method that works for you.

Basically, it’s all about the learning process.

Also, it depends on how your brain works.

So keep your mind open, learn from mistakes, take better notes, and stay on top of your studies.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

1. Outline: The Classic Go-To for Organized Minds

If you’re all about structure, the outline method might just become your best friend.

Here’s how it works.

Firstly, you start with the main topic as your headline.

Then you break it down into subtopics with bullet points.

Also, you can include details, examples, or rules within each subtopic.

Basically, your note looks like some kind of a pyramid, starting from the big ideas at the top and the nitty-gritty details underneath.

For example:

• Main Topic
  • Subtopic 1
    • Detail 1
    • Detail 2
  • Subtopic 2
    • Detail 1
    • Detail 2

As a result, you’re able to see the big picture and how everything connects.

It’s especially useful for lectures or study materials that are logically organized.

And the best part?

When it’s time to review, you can quickly scan your outline to refresh your memory.

2. Slides: When You Need to Visualize the Big Picture

First and foremost, slides aren’t just for presentations.

They can also be a fantastic note-taking method.

When you’re dealing with complex information or visual-heavy content, creating slides helps break down the material into digestible chunks.

In other words, all you have to do is create a slide for each key point and use images, charts, or bullet points to explain the concepts.

Moreover, you can add a summary slide at the end to review the main ideas.

Undoubtedly, slides are especially useful for subjects that require visual learning, like art history or anatomy.

Not to mention, they’re easy to review.

3. Charting: When You Need to Compare Information Side-by-Side

Speaking of comparisons, the charting method is your go-to if you’re dealing with a ton of information that needs to be organized in columns.

Basically, think of it as creating a spreadsheet for your notes.

You’ll have categories across the top (like dates) and then fill in the rows with details that fit under each category.

For example, if you’re studying history:

• Category 1: Year
• Category 2: Key Event
• Category 3: Impact

For this reason, charting is awesome for subjects that involve a lot of data, like history, economics, or even anatomy.

It’s super efficient because it allows you to see relationships and patterns at a glance.

4. Mind Mapping: Unleash Your Creative Side

Additionally, if you’re someone who likes to think outside the box, mind mapping might be the perfect fit.

Instead of writing notes linearly, you start with a central idea in the middle of the page and then branch out in all directions with related concepts, ideas, or facts.

Imagine it like this:

• Central Idea: The Brain
  • Branch 1: Parts of the Brain
    • Sub-branch: Cerebrum
    • Sub-branch: Cerebellum
  • Branch 2: Functions of the Brain
    • Sub-branch: Memory
    • Sub-branch: Emotions

Indeed, Mind Mapping is great for brainstorming, organizing ideas, or studying complex topics with multiple layers.

Plus, it’s a lot more fun than regular note-taking—especially if you like doodling!

5. Cornell: The Ultimate Review Tool

Moreover, if you struggle with reviewing your notes, the Cornell method could be it.

Here’s how it works.

As you can see, your digital notebook Cornell page is divided into three sections:

• Cue Column (left) where you write down keywords or questions.

• Note-Taking Area (right) where you jot down the main points during class or while reading.

• Summary (bottom) where you write a brief summary of the key points in your own words.

For example, if you’re in a psychology lecture:

• Cue Column: Key terms like “cognitive dissonance” or “classical conditioning.”
• Note-Taking Area: Detailed explanations of these terms.
• Summary: A brief paragraph summarizing the main concepts.

So you cannot only organize your notes but also review them with ease.

Additionally, when you summarize you reinforce what you’ve just learned.

6. Kanban Board: For Those Who Like to See Progress

Although kanban boards are usually associated with project management, they can totally work for note-taking and studying too.

Basically, it’s a visual to-do list.

Indeed, a Kanban board includes three columns:

• Column 1: To Do

• Column 2: Doing

• Column 3: Done

Now all you have to do is to write your tasks or topics and move them across the board as you complete each one.

Kanban boards are great if you like to track your progress and stay motivated.

Indeed, there’s something so satisfying about moving a task into the “Done” column!

7. Bullet: For Minimalists Who Love Simplicity

If you’re (similar to me) a minimalist at heart, the bullet method is worth considering as your new favorite art of note-taking.

Basically, this technique focuses on using short, concise bullet points to capture key ideas quickly and efficiently.

Similar to bullet journaling, for each concept or idea you write a single bullet point with the most important information.

For example:

• Main Idea: Photosynthesis
  • Sub-bullet: Converts sunlight into energy
  • Sub-bullet: Involves chlorophyll in plants

The Bullet method is great for fast-paced lectures or when you’re trying to jot down key points from a reading.

It’s simple, effective, and perfect for keeping your notes clean and to the point.

8. Brain Dump: The Ultimate Stress Reliever

In case, you’re feeling overwhelmed with information, I highly recommend trying out a brain dump method.

Indeed, this note-taking technique is all about getting everything out of your head and onto the screen as quickly as possible.

So write down everything you remember about a topic.

Moreover, a brain dump is all about no structure, no order, just pure information flow.

Once you’ve dumped all your thoughts, you can go back and organize them into more structured notes using any of the methods above.

I love this method because it is a great way to clear my mind before a big exam or a new project.

Also, it helps reduce anxiety and gives you a clear starting point for your studies.

To sum up, these small changes in how you take notes can make a huge difference in how well you understand and remember what you learn.

By finding the method that suits your style, you can turn note-taking from a chore into something you actually enjoy.

Trust me, your future self will thank you for it.

So, what do you think?

Ready to give these a try?

If I can do it, you can too!

Start experimenting, find what works best for you, and watch how your study sessions transform.

Download your free digital notebook

Free Digital Notebook