Bratzke Center News
Effective Note Taking
Tips for taking good notes in class.
As a student to be successful on any quiz, test, or assignment you have to be good at note taking. There are three important steps that go into being an effective note taker; observing, recording, and reviewing.
Observe:
Look over what is going to be covered for each class period, and complete outside assignments before class. Be sure you do assignments in advance because he/she expects you to be prepared for the material you will cover in class that day. Bring the right materials. You need to make sure you have a pen, pencil, notebook, textbook, and any other materials you may need for class. Sit front and center, the closer you sit towards the front of the class the less likely you are to fall asleep, be distracted, and you can see the board easier. If you can arrive to class early, review your notes from the class period before. This helps refresh your mind on what you are learning in the class. Participate in class activities such as asking questions, volunteering for demonstrations, and joining in on class discussions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, more than likely you are not the only person with that thought our question. Think critically about what you hear, so that you can make sure you understand everything the professor is teaching. Be alert to repetition. If a professor is repeating something than means it is probably important. Listen for introductory, concluding, and transition words and phrases. These types of phrases help you to organize your notes. Highlight the information that the professor clearly says will be on an exam. Notice the instructor’s interest level. The more excited the professor is about a topic the more likely it is that topic will be on an exam.
Record:
One effective way to take notes is to write in outline form with roman numerals, bullet points, and letters. This helps with organizing your notes. Use key words. These include terms, names, numbers, dates, and equations. Use pictures and diagrams as well, these help to recall your memory to the professor’s examples. Copy material from the board- if it’s on the board, put it in your notes. Use a three ring binder. They are helpful because you can remove pages while you are studying, you can insert handouts into your notes, and you can easily make additions, corrections, and revisions. Use an “I’m lost” symbol if you get confused during notes, this will help remind you to come back to that part of your notes and make sure you understand or ask the professor to clarify this. Label, number, and date all notes, this helps you keep your notes in order. Use standard abbreviations so that you do not confuse yourself with more unusual abbreviations. Leave blank space. You can use blank space to clarify points, write questions, or add other material. Use complete sentences when material is important. If your professor is giving you a definition or something word for word, you may want to write it down-- it could be important. Take notes in different colors, this helps organize your notes in a way that suits you. Use graphic signals such as; parenthesis, circles, brackets, arrows, starts, and underlining things. Each of these emphasizes something different.
Review, Review, Review:
Review within 24 hours for each class, and continue to do so often. You retain a lot more information if you review within 24 hours after class. Edit your notes. When you review your notes you should fix any words that are not legible, write out abbreviated words, and make sure your notes are labeled and dated. Fill in key words in the left hand column, these words will help when you go to study your notes for exams. Write your key words on notes cards with the definitions on the other side and this will help with memorization. Conduct short weekly review periods to keep the material fresh in your mind. Consider typing up your notes, this will help with reading the notes easier, they take up less space, and it forces you to review your material.
Hopefully these tips will help you to be more successful as you work towards a 3.0 or higher this semester!
Observe:
Look over what is going to be covered for each class period, and complete outside assignments before class. Be sure you do assignments in advance because he/she expects you to be prepared for the material you will cover in class that day. Bring the right materials. You need to make sure you have a pen, pencil, notebook, textbook, and any other materials you may need for class. Sit front and center, the closer you sit towards the front of the class the less likely you are to fall asleep, be distracted, and you can see the board easier. If you can arrive to class early, review your notes from the class period before. This helps refresh your mind on what you are learning in the class. Participate in class activities such as asking questions, volunteering for demonstrations, and joining in on class discussions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, more than likely you are not the only person with that thought our question. Think critically about what you hear, so that you can make sure you understand everything the professor is teaching. Be alert to repetition. If a professor is repeating something than means it is probably important. Listen for introductory, concluding, and transition words and phrases. These types of phrases help you to organize your notes. Highlight the information that the professor clearly says will be on an exam. Notice the instructor’s interest level. The more excited the professor is about a topic the more likely it is that topic will be on an exam.
Record:
One effective way to take notes is to write in outline form with roman numerals, bullet points, and letters. This helps with organizing your notes. Use key words. These include terms, names, numbers, dates, and equations. Use pictures and diagrams as well, these help to recall your memory to the professor’s examples. Copy material from the board- if it’s on the board, put it in your notes. Use a three ring binder. They are helpful because you can remove pages while you are studying, you can insert handouts into your notes, and you can easily make additions, corrections, and revisions. Use an “I’m lost” symbol if you get confused during notes, this will help remind you to come back to that part of your notes and make sure you understand or ask the professor to clarify this. Label, number, and date all notes, this helps you keep your notes in order. Use standard abbreviations so that you do not confuse yourself with more unusual abbreviations. Leave blank space. You can use blank space to clarify points, write questions, or add other material. Use complete sentences when material is important. If your professor is giving you a definition or something word for word, you may want to write it down-- it could be important. Take notes in different colors, this helps organize your notes in a way that suits you. Use graphic signals such as; parenthesis, circles, brackets, arrows, starts, and underlining things. Each of these emphasizes something different.
Review, Review, Review:
Review within 24 hours for each class, and continue to do so often. You retain a lot more information if you review within 24 hours after class. Edit your notes. When you review your notes you should fix any words that are not legible, write out abbreviated words, and make sure your notes are labeled and dated. Fill in key words in the left hand column, these words will help when you go to study your notes for exams. Write your key words on notes cards with the definitions on the other side and this will help with memorization. Conduct short weekly review periods to keep the material fresh in your mind. Consider typing up your notes, this will help with reading the notes easier, they take up less space, and it forces you to review your material.
Hopefully these tips will help you to be more successful as you work towards a 3.0 or higher this semester!
