Like most
college students, you don't take shorthand and you haven't invested in a handheld recorder so how can you take "good enough" notes to help you pass your classes? Study up on how to be an effective note-taker and make the most of classroom time with these tips.
1. Do pre-class prep time. Read ahead on what the professor will be going over. If you skim your textbooks you'll have an idea what the professor will be covering and you can get a feel for the topic. If there's a concept you don't understand make a note of it and ask about it in class.
2. Rather than writing down everything the professor says, why not highlight it as he goes along? Be judicious with highlighting as well because highlighting every line of every page won't help you study later. If you don't want to write in your books, pop a sticky note on points your professor raises.
3. Sharpen your listening skills - listening is as important as the note taking. Zoning out while in class will almost guarantee you will miss important points of the lecture.
4. How do you know which points are the most important? If the instructor repeats a section, it's likely important. Are the lessons on the board or on a power point presentation? If the instructor deemed it important enough to display it, you should deem it important enough to take notes on it.
5. You'll develop your own note-taking style as time goes on or enhance the one you perfected in high school. But consider this: starting each days lecture with a fresh sheet of paper, dated at the top, will help keep you organized. Don't fill every line in your notebook, keep blank spaces for filling in additional ideas, thoughts, and updates to information. You don't have to write every single word the instructor says - paraphrase.
Most instructors will remind you before a test of what items will be covered, if they raise a topic you didn't take notes on - ask for clarification. And before your memory gets fuzzy, take time to re-read your notes and elaborate on topics you may have jotted down - it will help you later.
More Information:
Robbi Hess is a staff writer for the American Educational Guidance Center. Her interests in higher education include
online college programs for working adults, specialty
colleges and universities and unusual scholarships.
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