1. Step by Step to College and Career Success
6: Listening & Taking Notes
Hi class. I hope everyone is well. Are there any questions about anything we have discussed so far?

2. Topics Preparing for and Participating in Class
Knowing the Basics of Listening and Note-Taking
Taking Notes in Nonlecture and Quantitative Courses
Reviewing Your Notes
I am sure you are not surprised to know that taking notes is very important in college. But there are many tricks to note-taking that you can adapt to your learning style. We will talk about several note-taking techniques today, including those for Non-lecture and quantitative courses.

3. Reflections: How do you measure up?
Always? Occasionally? Never?
During class I note all key points.
If I do not understand something, I ask questions in class.
In math or science courses, I write down everything the instructor puts on the board or screen.
I look for opportunities to join study groups.
Here is our abbreviated version of “How do you measure up?” questions for this chapter. Remember to quickly jot down the item number and your response and then we’ll think about these items again at the end of the class. I hope you are not surprised to see a question about study groups. We will emphasize them again and again because they are so important.

4. Preparing for and Participating in Class
Prepare to remember
Listen critically
Speak up
Most college courses include a combination of reading from a text, lectures and discussions, and outside reading for an assignment. With all of this information, it is important to be prepared for class.
Be sure to consult your syllabus for the topic of the lecture and do the required homework before class. Keep your various notes organized, so you can use them for studying. In class, listen critically and ask questions.

5. Prepare to Remember Review syllabus Do assigned reading
Preview various notes and summaries
Get organized
It is important to keep the syllabus for your classes in a safe place. Once the professor distributes a syllabus, it becomes your responsibility to follow the course requirements with few or no reminders. Each week, do your assigned reading and review notes and summaries.

6. Listen Critically Be ready for the message Listen for main concepts
Listen for new ideas
Repeat mentally
Distinguish what is important
Keep an open mind
Listen to entire message
Sort, organize, categorize

7. Speak Up Sit close to front with eyes on teacher Focus on lecture
Raise your hand to ask questions
Speak up in class
Have you noticed that some people are reluctant to sit in the front of the room? Sitting in front can help you hear better, minimize distractions and see better as well. It is more important to sit where you can get the most out of class for your learning style rather than sitting with friends.
Always ask questions; it is very likely that if you do not understand something others will also be confused. They will be glad you had the courage to speak up.
When called upon to answer a question, answer as best you can. Be honest if you do not know Do not try to show off and monopolize class time with extra material, neither your classmates or instructor will appreciate it.

8. Note-Taking Methods The Cornell Format Outline Format Paragraph Format
List Format
Because many methods of note-taking have been developed, it is important to find the one that works for you. You might have you own method now, but you should be open to trying new methods and not afraid to practice various techniques. You might find a new system that better fits you learning style.
Don’t be afraid to blend aspects of various techniques to make them work for you. Remember we talked about the importance of being flexible and adaptable many times. This applies to taking notes too.

9. The Cornell Format 
As you can see, the Cornell method begins by dividing the paper so that you have a left-hand margin and a wider right-hand section. The right-hand section is where you take detailed notes. You can write in bullets or paragraphs. The left-hand column is for summarizing main ideas, to help you when you study.
You might want to have several sets of notes if there are multiple topics covered in a single class.
What are some of the strengths of this method of note-taking?
The Cornell method helps with both recording the notes and using them for study later on.
It provides space for both the main ideas and the details or examples.
Summarizing information later can help you better understand how concepts relate to each other.

10. Outlining Formal Format Informal Format
Outlining works especially well with a well organized lecture. Not all instructors are as organized as others, so you might have to use note-taking techniques that meet the style of the instructor more than your own learning style.
Use headings and subheadings followed by course material.
If you are a visual learner, add pictures or ideas for pictures you could insert later.

11. Paragraph Format Identify critical ideas Summarize along the way
You determine what is important & how info is related to the topics
Especially effective for a disorganized lecture
Few of us really write all of the words when taking notes. However if you are a fast typist, you could do so on your laptop. But remember use YOUR own words. Do NOT transcribe what the instructor is saying word for word. If you just type a lecture word for word you are not likely to listen actively and realize when you need to ask questions.

12. List Format Good for definitions, sequences and facts
Can be used in combination with Cornell formats with key terms on left margin
Key Terms:
You will review many terms during a class, especially a science or math class. Lists work well for classes in which terms are defined.
Add to your list any terms that are new to you or that you do not understand. Then you can look the term up after class and add the definition to your notes, which will help expand your vocabulary.
Lists are also great for a series of activities like a process in science or math or a historical sequence.

13. Effective Notes Identify the main ideas Summarize the class
Provide a general framework for studying after a disorganized lecture
Can be used to study and recall information you have not noted in class
You may have some instructors whose lectures are not well-organized. It will be important for you to develop a system to organize the information later into notes that will help you recall what was said. Reviewing and revising your notes as quickly as possible after a lecture will help you study.
Use your own words to summarize information. Summarizing will facilitate active listening and help illustrate what you do not understand so you can ask questions.

14. Taking Notes in Nonlecture and Quantitative Courses
Problem-solving discussions
Problem:
Solutions
Strengths
Weaknesses
Solution 1
Solution 2
If you have classes that focus on application you will need to adapt your note-taking accordingly. You might want to develop a grid with the problem at the top, solutions along the left in one column and then proposed solution at the bottom.
Remember to note students’ suggestions as well as the instructors.
Proposed solution 1 and reason:

15. Preparing for Classes in Quantitative Courses
Courses build on each other
Previewing notes for class can involve previous lectures in the class and previous course notes
Check instructor’s web site for materials, download and take to class
Take notes only on the front of sheets
Consider using pencil
Organize notes chronologically
Label and organize handouts
Math and science classes can be particularly challenging for many students. The bullets on this slide are important for you success.
We have not yet discussed organizing your notes and keeping them after the course has ended. If you take many science or math courses keeping previous notes can be critical but keeping notes from social science classes may also be helpful for understanding the relationship between complex concepts.
Your syllabus should have all of the information about the instructor’s web site. Be sure to check it out and actively check the web site information.
Being organized is critically important in math and science classes.

16. Tips for Note-Taking in Math and Science
Write down equations, formulas, diagrams, charts, graphs, and definitions
Quote instructor’s technical words carefully
Use standard symbols, abbreviations and scientific notation
Include problem examples in notes
Listen carefully to questions and answers
Highlight important points
Review notes with text and revise notes if needed
Taking notes in math and science differs in many important ways from non-quantitative courses. Summarizing information will not be helpful in math and science. Math and science terminology is unique to the context and can be confusing because terms have a “generic” meaning as well as a specialized meaning for a course. For example, vector has many meanings in different contexts. In math, vector is quantity that has both direction and magnitude, such as force or velocity and is usually represented by an arrow. In computer language a vector has any length but only one dimension. Finally, in biology a vector could be a disease transmitting organism like a mosquito. It is important to listen carefully to the meaning of terms in specific classes and consider the context.
Also be sure to write down and explain symbols and abbreviations. Check your notes after class to ensure you correctly recorded the information.

17. Review and Revise Your Notes
Write down the main ideas
Recite ideas out loud
Reorganize if needed
Preview your notes again before the next class
Review and revise your notes as quickly as possible after each class and do not wait until later to review and highlight notes. You will remember information better if you review the material immediately and waiting until later will likely result in forgetting information.
Reflect on how the class meshes with the information you already know.
Revise your notes as needed.
If you are an aural learner, reciting your ideas out loud might be helpful.
One of the key strategies for a successful college schedule is to give yourself breaks between each class. Without short breaks you don’t give the ideas you’ve just learned a chance to “gel.”
Remember that reflection is important for learning. Reflection and identification helps you better understand and remember information.
Consider how classes mesh with each other when setting up your schedule. Perhaps it will help to have an hour or so between classes so you have time to revise your notes from the previous class and review your preparation for the upcoming class.
One challenge of college is that in a single day you may have classes with distinctly different content. What strategies could you use for example between an English literature class and a Biology lecture?
Exercising between classes could help you clear your head.
Finally, being organized is incredibly important when you need to review notes before the next class or for a test so using binders can be really helpful.

18. Comparing Notes Improve your skills
Periodically evaluate your note-taking process
Plan for notes coverage if you will be absent from class
If you know you are going to compare notes it is likely that you will make more effort to make sure your work is well organized and clear.
You might also learn by seeing how others take notes and revise your style.
Having a study partner to share notes with can also be helpful if you must miss a class. Remember it is critically important to attend, but if your absence in unavoidable be sure to get notes from someone.

19. Class Notes and Homework
Review your notes
Do homework
Read questions carefully
Seek help to enhance understanding if needed
Think about the point of the assignment and what you learned
Submit work on time
Don’t forget to review your class notes before you complete your assignments or move on to the reading for the next class.
You might want to do a warm-up for some homework projects. For example, in a math class there might be sample items in the book with answers in the back. Try them and if you consistently have the wrong answer, seek help from study partners or the instructor.
If you’re having trouble, don’t give up. You might want to take a break before trying again or when you have a particularly long assignment. Again remember one strategy might be to get some exercise. Exercise helps get oxygen to the brain so you can think better.
After you complete your homework, take a break, then prepare for the next class. Generally it is best to review the notes of the previous class before doing the reading for the next class. Remember linking concepts in various lectures will make information more meaningful and therefore easier to remember.
Remember the time management tips we discussed earlier. Use calendars and planners and add review time as part of your schedule. There is a lot to do in college as you are aware. Plan ahead to be successful.

20. Reflections: How do you measure up?
Always? Occasionally? Never?
During class I note all key points.
If I do not understand something, I ask questions in class.
In math or science courses, I write down everything the instructor puts on the board or screen.
I look for opportunities to join study groups.
I hope you now see the importance of note-taking and have some ideas about what you want to try.
Take a minute to review your answers on this measure up set of questions. Please share with us any changes you hope to try in the future.
Remember to review your notes from this class, revise them, and organize them with other information. You might want to review them later.
Do you have any questions or observations you would like to share?