Taking Notes

Before class:

• Decide how you are going to organize your notes

• Review previous notes

• Become in tune with your environment to prevent day dreaming

• Come to class prepared to take notes

During class:

• Sit in the front of the class

• Mark your notes where you disagree with what is being said

• Find a way to indicate where you have a question

• Listen for key words and phrases

• Be aware of repetition by the teacher

• Copy material from the board and overheads

• Use drawings to help remember or expand upon a concept

• Leave blank spaces in your notes

• Use abbreviations that you will understand later

• Use different colors for emphasis

After class:

• Review notes

• Fill any spaces left in your notes

• Clarify any abbreviations and fix illegible words

• Emphasize key words

• Exchange copies of your notes with another student to compare

• Meet with instructor and ask questions

Ideas taken from:
Ellis, David.  Becoming a Master Student.  6th ed.  College Survival, Inc.: 1991.

 

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revised 03.29.1999 14:36