Tips on Effective Note Taking
Writing lecture notes is one of the common tasks of students. Writing lecture notes helps a student understand and remember topics discussed in class. In addition, having lecture notes helps a student get high grades. To help you understand lessons better and do well in school, below are tips on how to write useful class notes.
Tip 1 – Prepare before class
Taking down lecture notes seems like a no-brainer, but, in fact, it requires a bit of preparation. Preparation before the lecture is key to improve your note-taking skills. So, get ready by reading hand-outs and book chapters related to the topic to be discussed. By reading ahead, you familiarize yourself with concepts and become capable of quickly grasping ideas discussed in a lecture.
In addition, organize and keep your note-taking and highlighting tools close to you. When your tools are handy and accessible, you encounter less hassles and save more time for studying. And when your tools are organized, your mind can focus on the subject you’re reading about.
Tip 2 – Be attentive in class
Note taking in class means you only write new ideas mentioned by your professor. You do not write each and every word your professor says as he or she lectures. By doing the latter, you can end up missing various important points and even fail to clearly understand the entire discussion.
So, since you’ve read on the topic for the day, listen and pay attention to the lecture. Avoid writing too many notes because they will only clutter in your notebook and your brain. And as you listen, observe your professor’s body language, teaching strategies and voice tone. These factors can help you understand the lesson better.
Tip 3 – Have a system for note taking
A note-taking system can make remembering and processing lessons easier. In addition, a note-taking system allows you to write clear and organized notes. So try using bullets and numbers for lists that allow quick and easy reading. Use arrows, stars or red ink for important points or headings. Finally, leave enough spaces above or below your notes. The spaces are where you can write new notes after a second review of lessons.
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