Note-Taking Strategies
Supplemental Instruction by Ms. Andrea Haymond-Tang
The information available through this site is inteded to assist students in becoming effective and efficient learners. The pages were adapted from material presetned at two websites: www.academictips.org and www.studygs.net. If you are interested in obtaining additional help, you might visit either of those two sites or perhaps two others: www.studyguidezone.com/resource_tips.htm and www.studytips.org.General Exam Tips
Answering Multiple Choice Questions
Answering True-False Questions
Answering Essay Questions
Answering Short Answer Questions
Taking Open Book Exams
Preparing for Emergency Exams
Coping with Test Anxiety
Note Taking Strategies
Active Listening
Note-Taking Strategies
There are several different techniques for taking notes, all of which require attention from you. As the student, you must be alert enough in class to take legible and meaningful notes.Don't try to write everything down. There are several reasons why this is not helpful.
1. A sizable amount of the lecture information won't actually help you learn the material.
2. By trying to write everything down, your ability to listen closely to the instructor declines, which reduces your chances of picking up on the main points and ideas being discussed.
3. Just because you're writing it all down does not mean you're comprehending it. It is better to write down the main ideas only, and listen closely for better in-class comprehension. You can always review your notes later with the text for elaboration. Having read the assigned material before class will also help you recognize the main ideas.
4. Bring your textbook to class and have it open to follow along with the lecture.
5. Take your lecture notes in pencil - this way modifications can be made quickly and neatly.
Taking Notes in Lectures:
2-6 Method:
A loose-leaf notebook with wide-margin paper is recommended because you will be able to add, delete, and rearrange the pages and other materials.
Steps:
a. divide the page into two columns, using the red line on the left side as the divider. This gives about two inches for the left column and six inches for the right column.
b. each class session should have a cover page that can be used for later summaries and test preparation.
With multiple pages for one lecture, summarize each page at its bottom, and then summarize the entire lecture on either a cover page or an end page.
Split-Page Method:
A loose-leaf notebook with wide-margin paper is recommended. This allows for adding, removing, and rearranging the pages.
Steps:
a. Divide the page in half length-wise by folding it.
b. Keep the page folded and use the left side for notes taken in class.
c. After class, go through the lectures notes with the text and use the right side to outline, elaborate, and clarify the lecture notes. The lecture and textbooks notes are now integrated and easy to study from.
Taking Notes from the Textbook:
1. Read a manageable section from the textbook.
- read it enough to understand the material.
- instead of taking notes, focus on understanding.
2. Review the material.
- locate the main concepts and the important sub-points.
- put the book away.
- paraphrase the main concepts and sub-points.
- this forces you to become actively involved with the material.
3. Write the paraphrase ideas as your notes.
- do not copy information straight out of the textbook.
- only fill in enough detail from the text as required for you to understand.
4. Review and compare your notes with the text. Ask yourself if you really understand the material.