Did You Know? Studies show that people may forget: 50% of a lecture within 24 hours 50% of a lecture within 24 hours 80% in two weeks 80% in two weeks 95% within one month 95% within one month If … they do not take notes.

OK… but taking notes is HARD … Besides, I listen … most of the time. So why bother?

Did You Know? That you can think about four times faster than a lecturer can speak? That you can think about four times faster than a lecturer can speak? That means that in order to learn effectively from lectures, you have to listen and take notes effectively. This is an active process; it doesn’t happen automatically. That means that in order to learn effectively from lectures, you have to listen and take notes effectively. This is an active process; it doesn’t happen automatically.

Did You Know? Somewhere between one half and two thirds of new jobs in the future will require a college education and higher-level literacy skills. Somewhere between one half and two thirds of new jobs in the future will require a college education and higher-level literacy skills.

Did You Know? High-level literacy High-level literacy skills are a requirement for employees in professions such as finance, insurance, real estate, construction and manufacturing.

So…what’syourplan? In my experience, the main difference between those students who EXCEL in class and those who DON’T isn’t about who is SMARTER… …it’s about study skills.

BE PREPARED Keep notes in order and in one place. Keep notes in order and in one place.  This does NOT mean jamming them into book or one “hold all” folder!  Bring ALL necessary materials-book, pen, etc. Date your notes—same way, every day. Date your notes—same way, every day. Use ONE notebook per class for notes. Use ONE notebook per class for notes.

BEFORE CLASS Develop a mind-set geared toward listening. Develop a mind-set geared toward listening. Test yourself over the previous lecture while waiting for the next one to begin. Test yourself over the previous lecture while waiting for the next one to begin. Skim relevant reading assignments to acquaint yourself with main ideas, new technical terms, etc. Skim relevant reading assignments to acquaint yourself with main ideas, new technical terms, etc. Enhance your physical and mental alertness: eat a snack before class, sit in the front and/or center of the room, and focus your attention on the speaker. Enhance your physical and mental alertness: eat a snack before class, sit in the front and/or center of the room, and focus your attention on the speaker.

DURING CLASS Listen for the structure and information in the lecture. Listen for the structure and information in the lecture. Resist distractions, emotional reactions, or boredom. Resist distractions, emotional reactions, or boredom. Pay attention to verbal, postural, and visual clues as to what's important. Pay attention to verbal, postural, and visual clues as to what's important. When possible, translate the lecture into your own words. When possible, translate the lecture into your own words.

DURING CLASS Be consistent in your use of form, abbreviation, etc. Be consistent in your use of form, abbreviation, etc. Ask questions. Ask questions. Instead of closing your notebook early and getting ready to leave, listen carefully to information given toward the end of class; summary statements may be of particular value in highlight main points; there may be possible quiz questions, etc. Instead of closing your notebook early and getting ready to leave, listen carefully to information given toward the end of class; summary statements may be of particular value in highlight main points; there may be possible quiz questions, etc.

AFTER CLASS Clear up any questions raised by the lecture by asking either the teacher or classmates. Clear up any questions raised by the lecture by asking either the teacher or classmates. Fill in missing points or misunderstood terms from text or other sources. Fill in missing points or misunderstood terms from text or other sources. Edit your notes, labeling main points, adding recall clues and questions to be answered. Edit your notes, labeling main points, adding recall clues and questions to be answered. Key points in the notes can be highlighted with various colors. Key points in the notes can be highlighted with various colors.

Types of Note taking Methods_of_Notetaking.docx_UPDATED_7-09.pdf

Here’s an example of a student’s Cornell notes.

Here’sanother…

andanother.

Here’s a sample of a mind map from a lecture on energy…..

Here’s a sample of notes taken using the outline method.

All Methods Include… Prepare-Abbreviate-Revise-Review Prepare-Abbreviate-Revise-Review Prepare – be prepared for the lecture, DATE notes, write down main ideas as well as examples, and note important details and unfamiliar terms. Prepare – be prepared for the lecture, DATE notes, write down main ideas as well as examples, and note important details and unfamiliar terms. Abbreviate – create abbreviations to increase writing speed. Abbreviate – create abbreviations to increase writing speed. Revise – revise notes within 24 hours while the information is fresh in your mind. Revise – revise notes within 24 hours while the information is fresh in your mind. Review – Review your notes after the lecture as well as before the next lecture. Review – Review your notes after the lecture as well as before the next lecture.

Note Taking While Reading Text Steps In The SQ3R System S-Survey S-Survey Q-Question Q-Question R-Read R-Read R-Recite R-Recite R-Review R-Review

Steps In The SQ3R System rtServices/StudySkills/TextbookReadingNoteTaking /StepsInTheSQ3RSystem.aspx rtServices/StudySkills/TextbookReadingNoteTaking /StepsInTheSQ3RSystem.aspx

So Don’t take my word for it…