Taking Notes

Study TIDBITS Visuals increase retention by 40 percent. People will forget 80 percent of what they learn in 3 days. Notes increase retention by 30 percent. Sugar melts concentration. Turkey slows concentration. (Thanksgiving) A good food for concentration - Fruit If sluggish in the a.m., have nothing but fruit until about noon. One peanut will produce energy for an hour. Better retention: Review notes within 5 hours after taken.

Basics Clear, concise notes are better than volumes Loose leaf notebook rather than spiral Notebook for each class Write on only one side of the page Date each page as you use it Rewrite and combine your old notes Within 5 hours of classtime

Lecture Notes Sit near the front of class Be a good listener Main Points – put in your own words later Instructor clues Repeated phrases must be important Ask if you don’t understand Aids Web notes when available

Lecture Notes Use abbreviations Try to write down what you heard immediately after class Don’t look at your notes Organize your notes in your own words REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT

Note formats Outlining Summary Indentations may replace numbers and letters Summary Pause to summarize key points several times Good with disorganized lecturer

Good for visual learners Concept Map Good for visual learners

Good for Cause-Effect Relationships or for groups Fishbone Diagram Good for Cause-Effect Relationships or for groups

Cornell Method

Tape the Class If it increases your confidence If you have a learning disability If you have a plan to listen to the tapes regularly If you can listen to the tapes while commuting If you must be absent