1. TAKING NOTES

2. Alternatives to Attending Class
Reading the text
You should read the text anyway!
Some subjects are too difficult to learn from just reading.
Using someone else’s notes
Depends on the completeness of those notes!
What another finds important to note may be different from what you would note.
Taping the lecture
Misses any visual information like pictures or graphs.
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3. The IMPORTANCE of Attending Class
You get to hear the instructor talk about key ideas.
It is often those ideas that you will be expected to know for exams.
You have the chance to ask questions.
Decide to attend all your classes regularly!
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4. Taking Notes: Organization
Use full sized paper, not a small note tablet.
Keep all class notes together and separate from other classes.
Date each day’s notes.
A large loose-leaf notebook as shown is recommended.
A spiral bound notebook with several sections will work also.
Write legibly!
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Prior to Class
Read the pertinent section(s) of the text, even if you think you know the material. Being “current” with the terminology and any symbols helps you take better notes.
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Sit where you can see the board clearly.
While In Class
Pay attention to the lecture.
Key off of personality signals and speaking clues.
Develop an instinct for what is meaningful.
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7. Taking Notes: Space on the Page
This saves flipping pages when following an idea while studying.
This allows keys to be added later.
This permits additional notes on a topic to be entered.
Take notes on only one side of a page.
Leave space at the top and at the left margin.
Skip a few lines when starting notes on a new topic or idea.
Taking Notes: Space on the Page
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Outline Format
Outline Format
Main points are aligned at the margin.
Secondary points are indented.
Supporting detail is secondary.
Subordinate material is indented further.
Definitions should start at the margin.
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Use Your Own Words
Most of the time you should write notes using your own words.
On occasion, exactness is important and notes must be taken verbatim. Examples: definitions, quotations, formulae.
You can always leave room to add your own interpretation of the verbatim notes so it is easier for you to remember.
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Abbreviations
Use abbreviations to save time!
Use abbreviations for recurring terms.
In psychology o c might stand for operant conditioning.
In history Ren might stand for Renaissance.
In algebra q f might stand for quadratic formula.
Add a key of your abbreviations to your notes.
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11. Com Abbrevs (Common Abbreviations)
w/ for with
eg for example
+ for and
dt for date
Eu for Europe
elec for electricity
chr for chromosome
pop for people or population
chem for chemical or chemistry
There are many, many more!
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12. Instructor Personality Signals
Changes in tempo
Long pauses
Gestures
Changes in volume
All these clues may be used to determine what is a main idea and what is relevant detail.
Writing on the board
Movements
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13. Instructor Speaking Clues
Foreshadowing
Repetition
Issue statements
Consensus statements
Absolutes
Annotate these kinds of notes in the margin. Suggestions: ! for something you shouldn’t forget, R for something repeated, imp for important.
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14. Note Details That Connect or Explain
Big
Hint
Note Details That Connect or Explain
Too many students copy only the main points, leaving out the supporting details.
As time passes they may forget details that serve as a connecting bridge between ideas.
In the sciences students copy formulae but fail to note what the variables mean.
ALWAYS REVIEW YOUR NOTES!
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