effective note taking tips
before
| Think positively about your ability to take pertinent notes in class | Read and take notes BEFORE class |
| Use notetaking supplies that fit your style | Create a list of questions based on assignments/readings |
during
| Use the outline method | Shows the relationship of ideas-use when lecture is well organized |
| Use a concept map | Graphic representation of relationship between main ideas and sub-points-use when instructor leaps around |
| Use the Cornell Method | Keywords/notes/summary |
| Record only the important ideas | |
| Listen/look for cues | What does the instructor emphasize, revisit, re-iterate |
| Listen for answers to the questions you prepared | |
| Use abbreviations and if you can’t keep up, leave spaces | After class, use classmate, study group or instructor to help fill in the blanks |
| Record the class | Listen often, breaking up into short segments |
| Talk about your notes | Explain to someone else, verbalizing reinforces learning |
| Compare notes | Reinforces learning |
| Revise notes after class | |
| Review notes regularly | Research shows that we lose up to 80% of material w/in 24 hours if not reviewed |
| Read notes aloud | Will increase the amount of information you remember |
Adapted from “On Course," Skip Downing
