Listening Skills & Successful Note Taking Center for Academic Student Achievement AIM: Lina Maria Franco

Listening Skills 50% is information that we recall 20-30% information is incorrect Passive vs. Active Listening

Passive Listening Aka: Bad listening Not interested Fake paying attention Distracted/technology “spacing out” …..

Active Listening PAYING ATTENTION! Determine what the speaker is saying is important* Arrange it so you CAN hear Listen OPENLY, don’t let your emotions block out the noise L.I.S.T.E.N

Lead- Be prepared mentally and physically Ideas- Focus only on the main ideas and concepts Summarize- Summarize and create links between the ideas and concepts Talk- Ask questions for clarification or get involved by asking for specific examples End- Stay to the END to conclude your notes Notes- Review what you have learned after the lecture and before starting the next lecture

5 Reasons to Take Notes Triggers and helps you remember information Concentrate in class Prepare for tests Notes are valuable clues for what is important Your notes are written in your own words… YOU only understand them!

Note Taking: Questions and Problems What is Important? Do I write down every word? My Professor talks too fast! Can I simply record the lecture? Can’t I just print out the powerpoint?

What is Important? Beginning and Ending, Definitions, Terms, Repeated information Emphasis on specific words Write notes about things that you don’t understand/confuse you Look for main ideas supported by bullets, listings, names and dates If you are still not sure, ask your professor

Write it all Down?! Do not write word for word. Be brief Translate into your words/ short hand Organize in a logical form and write legibly Spelling/Grammar? Re-write your notes after class and add from other people’s notes

They Talk TOO FAST!! The professor usually makes an important point or idea by: –Pausing before or after the idea –Uses repetition to emphasize the point –Uses key words such as “Write this down” “Be sure to know…” “Make note of…” –Writing ideas on the board/ bolding text in power point

Recording Lectures & Print Outs Always ask! Are you REALLY going to have the time? Print outs help, BUT DON’T RELY on them Refer back to the syllabus and class website

Lecture Notes L.I.S.T.E.N Are your questions answered? Personal notes- examples, stories, key words, abbreviations Cornell Method Outline Combo!

Organizing Notes Class, date, page # Use symbols and abbreviations Use Edit/Rewrite/Add to your notes

More Tips Take Notes, Not Dictation Skip lines between points –Visual break –Fill in later Make sure YOU understand your notes!

casa.tamucc.edu

Academic Insight Mentors (AIM) at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi