Note-Taking Strategies Your First Step to Success in College

Why Take Notes? It’s a way to ensure you are getting the most out of your college experience Requires organization, commitment, efficient time-management, and active participation Improves your study habits and your ability to learn and retain the material

Three-Step Process Requires three steps: Organize Record Review Taking notes effectively takes time and practice Don’t get discouraged Ask for help Help your Battle Buddy

Organization Use a three-ring binder and binder paper, not just a spiral-bound notebook Insert separators to build individual sections dedicated to: The syllabus/schedule of assignments Assignments Essay materials Including brainstorming, drafts, peer reviews, etc. In-class handouts and workshops Notes

Organization (continued) Use one binder per class This helps you from mixing up your notes from this class with other classes Always complete the assigned reading before attending class Better recall and familiarity with the material Helps you identify main points/ideas for recording Take notes while reading the assigned materials Write questions to ask in class Identify main points or passages you find interesting

Record Either: Actively listen for: Create your own abbreviation system (include a legend for easy reference and consistent use) Every symbol/abbreviation should only have one meaning OR use a standard abbreviation system Actively listen for: Important points Examples Phrases that show relationships, summarizes, concludes, connects, compares and contrasts Any time I say “This is important”

Record (continued) Record general main ideas and details rather than taking notes verbatim* *Don’t try to record everything I say Clearly identify the relationship between the main ideas and the details Takes notes during lectures and while reading While reading, identify the main idea of each paragraph and the supporting details Write questions you have about the material Write your notes in your own words to show you understand the ideas and concepts

Review Review your notes as soon after the lecture as possible for revision and memorizing When taking notes about assigned readings, review notes before class to refamiliarize yourself with the ideas Review your notes daily Synthesize or combine your lecture notes and your reading notes on a weekly basis to make connections/compare & contrast

Systems of Recording: Cornell Notes A dual- or multicolumn note-taking method Easier revision Better organization An efficient format that allows you to pull out the main ideas of the lecture Main ideas in the left-hand column Details in the right-hand column

Systems of Recording: Outline Method Can be used by itself or in conjunction with the Cornell Notes style Immediately shows the relationships between ideas Main ideas/general information on the left Supporting details indented Further indent specific examples or details

Assignment for Monday, April 10 Get a three-ring binder for this class Create and separate sections with dividers You may choose what sections you wish to create, but please include at least one section for notes Clearly label the dividers so you can easily identify each section The dividers don’t need to be fancy, but they should help you clearly distinguish between the sections Put the schedule of assignments near the beginning of the binder for easy access Check in with your Battle Buddy

Works Cited “Note Taking Strategies.” Saint Mary’s College of California, n.d., https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-resources-support/student-academic-support-services/tutorial-academic-skills-4. Accessed 7 April 2017.