Become An Efficient NoteTaker

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Become An EfficientNote-Taker

Developed by Gayle Wood Pellissippi State
Technical Community College
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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?

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tips, Tips, Tips

• Watch the instructors eyes.
• An important signal is a glance at notes before
  making a point.
• Dont ignore obvious clues.
• When told point blank the information will be on
  a test.
• Notice the instructors interest level.
• Excitement about a point, or more animation is a
  signal.

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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.

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The Cornell Method
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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)
• gt (Regular numeric order sub-subtopic)
• a. (Small letter details of
  subtopics)

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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.

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Another Example of Mapping
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 dont.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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???

• 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.

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???

• 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.

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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.

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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.

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