Become An Efficient Note-Taker

1. Become An EfficientNote-Taker Developed by Gayle Wood Pellissippi State Technical Community College

2. Test Your Notes • Do they make sense to you? • Do your notes from the beginning of the semester still make sense? • After your last test did you find the answers to most of the questions in your notes? • If you had to explain what was covered in the class to a friend would your notes cover all the key points?

3. Classroom Observation Skills • Complete outside assignments • Being familiar lets you notice more in class. • You already have the framework in your mind; now you can finish. • Bring the right material • Pen, pencil, paper, book, etc.

4. Sit Front and Center • Fewer distractions • Less likely to fall asleep • Material on the board is easier to see • Instructors do better with small audiences

5. Short Pre-class Reviews • Note questions. • Arrive early to review notes, the chapter, etc. • Cover headings, introduction, summary, bold- face type, and dates. • See how the chapter is organized.

6. In mind not just body • Accept that your mind wanders. • Pay attention to the instructor. • Imagine that the lecture is a personal talk to you. • Pay attention to body language and facial expressions of the instructor. • Let go of judgments about the lecture style. • Instructors have idiosyncrasies. • Your judgments can cause you to ignore signals or not pay attention to what is said.

7. Mind and Body continued • Participate in class activities. • Ask questions. • Volunteer for demonstrations. • Join in-class discussions. • Notice your environment. • To keep from daydreaming, notice the temperature, lighting, feel of the furniture, etc.

8. Watch for clues • Be alert to repetition. • When an instructor repeats something, it is important. • Listen for introductory, concluding, and transition words and phrases. • Also listen for phrases that signal relationships, definitions, new subjects, cause and effect, or examples.

9. More Clues • Watch the board • If the instructor takes the time to write on the board, it is usually IMPORTANT. • Copy all diagrams, drawings, equations, names, places, dates, statistics, definitions, etc.

10. Tips, Tips, Tips • Watch the instructor’s eyes. • An important signal is a glance at notes before making a point. • Don’t ignore obvious clues. • When told point blank the information will be on a test. • Notice the instructor’s interest level. • Excitement about a point, or more animation is a signal.

11. Different Methods of Note-Taking • The Cornell Method (or T Method). • Draw a vertical line, top to bottom. • Write your notes to the right of the line. • Write key words and sample questions on the left side. • Fill in the left side when you review your notes.

12. The Cornell Method

13. The Outline Method • Write notes in outline form. • Use either a traditional Roman numeral form or a free-form. Just organize the information!!! • I. (Roman numeral = Topic) • A. (Capital letter = Subtopic) • > (Regular numeric order = sub-subtopic) • a. (Small letter = details of subtopics)

14. Mind Maps • Place the main idea at the center of the page. • Record supporting ideas on lines branching out. • Write supporting facts on lines branching from these ideas. • Make separate maps for large points. • Combine maps and other techniques.

15. Another Example of Mapping

16. Notes in Paragraphs • Use few complete sentences, just put general ideas. • Use complete sentences for precise definitions, quotes, and important points. • Write related thoughts in a paragraph with space for additional points.

17. PERIOD IMPORTANT PEOPLE EVENTS SIGNIFICANCE 1941-45 FDR – President of USA WWII USA Involvement Bombing of Pearl Harbor The Depression The Charting Method • Draw columns and label appropriate headings in table. • Determine categories to be covered in advance. • Works best if the lecture is distinct.

18. Use only key words and terms • Use key words • Write down words or phrases that contain essential information. • Identify technical terms, names, numbers, equations, etc. • Use words that bring images to mind. • Use key words that trigger your memory.

19. Use a three-ring binder • Pages can be removed and spread out to review. • Handouts can be inserted where they belong. • Out-of-class notes can also be inserted in the correct place. • Additions, corrections and revisions are easier.

20. Organize, Organize, Organize • Use only one side of your paper. • Keep your personal thoughts separate. • This avoids confusing your thoughts with facts. • Label your comments if you do put them in. • Use standard abbreviations. • Otherwise when you are reviewing for a test you might become confused. • It is best to make a key for those abbreviations you do make up.

21. Use a “lost” signal • Everyone gets lost sometimes, so mark it with a special signal. • Later, ask your instructor, a classmate, or find the answer in your book. • Be honest when you are lost because the only one you will hurt is yourself if you don’t.

22. Label, number, and date all notes • Put the date, class, and how many pages on all pages so you can figure out their order if they get separated. • Be sure your name and number are in your books because they are expensive to replace.

23. Use White Space • Do not cram your notes together; they will be hard to read. • With white space, you can go back and add information later. • Easy to read notes can decrease your tiredness during review.

24. Avoid Tape Recorders • They are too relaxing, you can miss key points. • It takes too much time to listen to the lecture again. • A tape recorder cannot answer questions. • A recorder can run out of tape, malfunction, or noises can cover what is said.

25. If it is important, use complete sentences. • When an instructor repeats a sentence word for word, it is a signal to know this information. • Technical definitions need to be worded precisely because changing just one word can change the definition.

26. Review • Review within 24 hours • Short-term memory is just that--short. A quick review can save information. • It can be as short as 10 minutes. • A review can salvage even sloppy and garbled notes. • If a lecture was difficult, review the notes within the hour. • 24 hours after learning, most students remember less that 20% of the material unless it has been reviewed.

27. ??? • Edit notes • Fix words that are illegible first. • Write out abbreviated words you might not understand later. • Make sure you can read all your notes. • Be sure your notes are labeled and the pages are numbered.

28. ??? • Organize your notes with graphic signals. • During your first review, add arrows, brackets, and other signals to help organize your notes. • Circle related concepts, fill out diagrams, and illustrate important points.

29. Key Words • Fill in key words in left-hand column. • Go through your notes and write key words or phrases and their definitions in the left-hand column. • Use key words as cues to recite. • Cover your notes on the right side leaving only key words visible. • Recite everything you know related to that word going down the page. • Check your notes to see what important points you may have missed.

30. Review - Before and After • Conduct short weekly review periods. • Review all your notes once a week take for as little as 20 minutes. • Refine your notes as you review. • Conduct pre-class reviews. • Link information for each lecture to the preceding lecture.

31. If you do these things you will not feel like this on the day of the exam.