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What's
the purpose of class notes?
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1. notes should
reflect what you learn in class.
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2. notes should
be a resource for studying, writing, or comparing and combining with your text
material.
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Making
the Most Out of Class and Book Notes
 | Preview
the text to become familiar with the topic and possible and unfamiliar
concepts.
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| Use
separate pieces of 8 ½ -by-11-inch paper for each class. If you use a
three-ring binder, punch holes in papers your instructor hands out then
insert them immediately following your notes for that day.
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| Take
a comfortable seat where you can easily see and hear, and be ready to write
as soon as the instructor begins speaking.
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| Choose
a note-taking system that helps you handle the instructor’s speaking style
(you’ll be more able to determine this style after a few classes.)
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| If
the lecturer provides any visual organizers (outlines, charts), anticipate
using them as a guide to structure your notes.
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| Don’t
forget to pay attention to the “real-world” examples; they often become
the source of test questions.
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| Set
up a support system with a student in each of your classes. That way, when
you are absent, you can get the notes you missed.
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Strategies
for What to Do During Class
| Date each page and number them if you take several pages of notes.
This will help you keep track of them. It may also help to write the topic
of the lecture at the top of each page.
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| If your instructor jumps from topic to topic during a single class,
it may help you to start a new page for each new topic.
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| Record whatever your instructor emphasizes.
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| Write down all key terms and definitions.
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| Remember that tests don’t just ask for definitions. Record terms in
related sets, so you understand comparisons and contrasts among them.
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| Continue to take notes during class discussions and
question-and-answer periods.
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| Write down all questions raised by the instructor, since the same
questions may appear on the test.
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| Leave one or more blank spaces between major sections. This white
space will help you review your notes.
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| Draw pictures and diagrams that help illustrate ideas.
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| If you cannot understand what the instructor is saying, leave a space
where the explanation begins and place a question mark in the margin. Then
ask the instructor to explain it again after class, discuss it with a
classmate, or consult your textbook.
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| Take notes until the instructor stops speaking. Otherwise, you may
miss critical information.
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| Make your notes as legible, organized, and complete as possible.
Remember that you always have the option to revise and improve your notes!
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| Think of the notes you get in class as a very important part, but not
all, of what you need to learn.
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Click
here
to rate your note-taking strategies.
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Review Your Notes
| Read over your notes to learn the information and to clarify
difficult concepts and shorthand abbreviations.
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| Reviewing your notes after class and on a regular basis helps you
remember important concepts and links new information to information you
already know.
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| Invent a system that works for you and allows easy consolidation of
lecture and text.
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| You may also want to add headings and subheadings and insert
clarifying phrases or sentences.
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| Writing a summary of your notes is another important review technique.
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| Study groups can also be helpful in reviewing notes.
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| Try to review each week’s notes at the end of that week.
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Carter,
C., Bishop, J., Bixby, M., & Kravits, S. L. (1999). Keys
to study skills: Opening doors to learning. Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall.
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