Note Taking Tips :Note Taking Tips Created by: Elizabeth Mattingly, LTCY 524


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Why should I take notes in class? :Why should I take notes in class?


What to do Before Class :What to do Before Class Preview the material that will be covered during the next class meeting. Being familiar with a subject will increase your ability to pick out key points. Go to class prepared to listen and take notes. Having a positive attitude will help you get more from the instructor’s lecture.


Tips on Taking Notes During Class :Tips on Taking Notes During Class Don't write down everything that you read or hear. Remember that the average lecturer speaks approximately 125-140 words per minute, and the average note-taker writes at a rate of about 25 words per minute. There is NO WAY to write all of that down, so just stay alert and focus on the main points.


Tips on Taking Notes During Class (cont.) :Tips on Taking Notes During Class (cont.) When you’re taking notes, focus your attention on key points. You may have to choose what you think is most important and fill in the gaps later. Don’t waste time writing long, complete sentences when you are taking notes. Notes should consist of only key words or very short sentences. Leave blank spaces so you can elaborate on key points in your notes later.


Tips on Taking Notes During Class (cont.) :Tips on Taking Notes During Class (cont.) When note taking, translate ideas into your own words. Doing this will make concepts easier for you to understand. Underline or highlight concepts that you don’t understand to remind you to ask your instructor about it after class.


Your professor is probably making an important point if: :Your professor is probably making an important point if:


Ways to Reduce Your Notes :Ways to Reduce Your Notes


What to do with your notes AFTER Class :What to do with your notes AFTER Class Take your notes along and talk to your instructor after class. Let him look at your notes and give suggestions on what to add and let him answer questions about things you highlighted or underlined. Compare your notes with the textbook reading and fill in important details in the blank spaces you left.


What to do with your notes AFTER class (cont.) :What to do with your notes AFTER class (cont.) Studies show that you forget things rapidly after a lecture. By the time 24 hours has passed after a lecture, your ability to recall the facts have decreased by about 80%. The best way to keep this from happening is to review your notes immediately after class!


What to do with your notesAFTER class (cont.) :What to do with your notesAFTER class (cont.) Edit your notes the first time you look at them after class. Check for any abbreviations or phrases that may not make sense to you later and rewrite them so that you will be able to understand them. Take about 20 minutes each day from the time you get your notes until the time of the test to review your notes.


If you’re still having trouble taking notes in class… :If you’re still having trouble taking notes in class… Ask your professor if he minds if you audiotape the lecture. This will give you a chance to listen to the lecture again and write down any key points you missed. Ask your professor if he is giving the same lecture at another time. If he is, you can go to that lecture and listen to the same information again. Trade notes with classmates or friends. Copy each other’s notes and see if they added any information that you may have missed.


Resources :Resources Jerz, D. (2001) Top 5 tips for effective note taking. In Notetaking: 5 Top Tips. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/notes-tips.htm. Note taking skills. (n.d.) In SBC Academic Resource Center. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://www.arc.sbc.edu/notes.html. Strategies for success: Note taking. (n.d.) In Study Skills: Note taking. Retrieved October 9, 2008 from http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/ACCDitg/SSnote.htm. Taking lecture and class notes. (2008). In Dartmouth College. Retrieved October 9, 2008. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.html.