If you’re trying to scribble notes on lecture slides with your iPad, it really can give your productivity a solid boost. You can highlight, underline, jot down quick notes, and keep everything nice and tidy. But yeah — there’s always some quirks, especially when importing files or syncing across devices, so here’s a pretty straightforward walk-through of what’s worked for me.
How to Take Notes on Lecture Slides on iPad
The idea is to use your iPad as a digital notepad for the slides your lecturers give you. The goal? Annotate directly, keep things organised, and make sure everything’s backed up without losing your mind. Here’s what I’ve found that works — kind of a step-by-step, not perfect but pretty handy way.
Step 1: Install a Note-Taking App
Start by grabbing something like Notability, GoodNotes, or OneNote from the App Store. These are pretty much the go-to apps for annotating PDFs and slides. If you don’t do this first, importing later can get messy. Apps like Notability and GoodNotes are packed with features — importing files, writing or drawing directly on them, even recording voice notes during lectures, which is a ripper if you want to revisit parts later.
Step 2: Import Your Lecture Slides
This is where it gets interesting. Open your note app, look for the Import or Open button — usually a plus sign or cloud icon. You can import slides from your device’s storage, iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox — whatever works for you. Files are mostly PDF, PowerPoint, or Keynote. Sometimes PowerPoint files turn into PDFs after export, so keep that in mind. If your slides come as a PPTX, it’s best to export as PDF first — makes importing a lot smoother.
Step 3: Organise Your Notes
This is where things can get messy if you don’t keep a handle on it. Set up folders or sections — most apps support this. For example, make a folder called “Biology” then subfolders for each chapter or week. That way, come exam time, you’re not scrolling forever looking for that one slide. Naming your files clearly helps too — like “Bio_Chapter3_Slides.pdf.”
Step 4: Annotate Your Slides
This is the best part — highlight, underline, add text boxes, draw arrows. Most apps have toolbars with pens, highlighters, erasers, and text options. Change colours to make different points stand out — red for urgent stuff, blue for notes, whatever. Using an Apple Pencil feels dead natural for drawing or writing; on other tablets, it might feel a bit odd, but hey, it beats flipping through paper any day. Some apps let you adjust pen thickness or shape — have a play so your notes stay clear and not a total mess.
Step 5: Sync Your Notes
This is a must — unless you want to re-import everything every time you switch devices. Most apps connect to cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive or Dropbox. Just head to Settings > Accounts and link your preferred service, then turn on auto-sync. That way, your notes are saved remotely and safe in case your iPad hiccups or you get a new one. Sometimes a reboot or app restart can temporarily break the sync — just keep an eye on it. It can take a few tries, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
Once you’ve got everything set — imported, organised, annotated, and synced — you’ve got a digital set of lecture slides that’s searchable and easy to review. If you’re like me, this makes revising for exams way less annoying because you can find your highlights or notes fast, without flipping through a pile of paper.
Tips for How to Take Notes on Lecture Slides on iPad
- Use a Stylus: The Apple Pencil or a decent alternative makes handwriting and annotating way more precise. The better your tool, the less frustration.
- Colour Code Your Notes: Different colours help keep different points or topics clear. Red for warnings, green for main ideas, blue for extra info — stuff like that makes revision easier.
- Record Lectures: Some apps, like Notability, let you record audio at the same time as you’re taking notes. Not sure why, but it’s pretty handy if you want to go back and check part of the lecture later.
- Use Templates: Many apps have ready-made templates or let you create your own. Makes note structuring quicker — like having pre-made headings or Q&A layouts.
- Back Up Regularly: Set up auto-backup to iCloud or other cloud services — you don’t want to lose hours of work if your device crashes. Better safe than sorry.
FAQs
How do I import lecture slides into Notability?
In Notability, tap the Import button, then choose the file from Files, iCloud, or other cloud services. Sometimes, files attached to emails need to be saved to Files or the Files app first before importing.
Can I use the iPad’s built-in Notes app for taking notes on slides?
Sure, but it’s pretty limited — no advanced annotation tools or easy organisation. For more flexibility, apps like GoodNotes or Notability are a better shout.
How do I sync my notes with cloud services?
Usually, in Settings > Accounts, you link your preferred cloud provider and turn on auto-sync. Some apps pick up connected cloud accounts automatically, but it’s worth double-checking. Sometimes, the sync might bug out on first try — just keep at it or restart the app.
What’s the best stylus for taking notes on an iPad?
The Apple Pencil is top-tier — makes writing feel natural and works seamlessly with iPadOS. Cheaper styluses can lag or be inaccurate, which is a pain when you’re trying to take quick notes or highlight stuff.
Can I organise my notes into different folders?
Absolutely. Most apps support folders, sections, or tags. Just look for the folder icon or menu, create a new folder, then drag your notes into it — easy as. Naming your files clearly helps, too.
Summary
- Download a solid note app (Notability, GoodNotes, OneNote).
- Import your lecture slides, ideally as PDFs.
- Organise everything into folders or sections.
- Annotate — highlight, write, and draw directly on the slides.
- Set up cloud syncing — don’t want to lose all your hard work.
Conclusion