Lesson One: 5 suggestions to help you succeed.
2. Divide your notepaper into two columns. One column, at the left, will be smaller than the main section. This note method will allow you to easily go to what is important later. If the teacher says, "remember this!" all you will have to do is make a notation in the left column, such as a star, and you can go there later to check it out. (Find out more about this kind of note-taking here.)
3. Don't try to take down every word. Try to squeeze what the teacher is saying into chunks of information. For example, you don't have to try to write, "Now, study everything in Chapter Two, because it will be on the test tomorrow." Your note-speak should be more like this: "Only Chap. 2 on test tomorrow."
4. Use a free-flowing pen that you have tested out. Nothing is harder on your hand than trying to print with a pencil. If you have never used a pen, try them out until you can find one that cursive works on and that feels right to you. Most of you that are reading this know cursive. If you don't, you are missing out. It's a lot faster.
5. Share your notes with a study group after typing them out. The simple act of typing them will engrave them into your mind better. And sharing them will help you see what others think is important.
More advice: Keep track of the notes from each class. You may want to invest in a separate section or notebook for each.
And here are some more links you may like:
The Divided Page - using a 2-column note page
11 Tips for Student Success
10 Tips for Doing Well on Finals
Forming a Nontraditional (Student) Study Group
Got some more great note-taking ideas? List them below and I will repost this later with all of your ideas added. Thanks!
-Betsyanne
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter
All great tips!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I agree with only using a free-flowing pen. I get the idea, but I tend to use just as much pressure with a pen as I do with a pencil. Mechanical pencils with a thicker lead are useful, but can get messy if your hand moves over your previous notes.
I also like to go back over my notes later with a highlighter and/or pen and highlight key words, concepts, etc. Then I may or may not type them up into a Word document. Each time you go back over your notes, either to highlight or type them up you are essentially reviewing them!
These are terrific ideas. I will use them in the 2nd version of this posting. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! YOU ARE SOOO RIGHT! I see people struggling all the time to write everything the teacher says or even worse, re-write the power point slides. I have found that the best method for me is to put a number on the section of my notes that coincides with the slide the professor is on. I only write extra things the prof says that is NOT on the slide. Most professors (again, at least at the University of Rochester) post their lectures online. If they post the lectures before class, it is even better. I print the slides then write directly on them in class. If a prof does not do this, it is sometimes helpful to ask them if they will. Often times, they will after they hear that the students value that and it isn't a waste of the professors' time.
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent advice, Nicki! I will be sure to add it to the tips next time they are posted. I had not thought about power points. Your advice will save a LOT of time and you will have great notes (very complete ones too).
ReplyDeleteI love your tips, this is a great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks...as long as I can get my old butt to class! =)
ReplyDeleteI am using your suggestions today. Thank you so much! Here is the link: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2010/08/notetaking-101-lesson-two-how-to-take.html
ReplyDeleteI am honored to see my suggestions on your site! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, Nicki! Those were great suggestions.
ReplyDelete