Adequate notes are a necessary adjunct to
efficient study and learning. Think over the following suggestions and
improve your note- taking system where needed.
- Listen actively - if possible think
before you write - but don't get behind.
- Be open minded about points you disagree
on. Don't let arguing interfere with your note-taking.
- Raise questions if appropriate.
- Develop and use a standard method of
note-taking including punctuation, abbreviations, margins, etc.
- Take and keep notes in a large notebook.
The only merit to a small notebook is ease of carrying and that is not
your main objective. A large notebook allows you to adequately indent and
use an outline form.
- Leave a few spaces blank as you move from
one point to the next so that you can fill in additional points later if
necessary. Your objective is to take helpful notes, not to save paper.
- Do not try to take down everything that
the lecturer says. It is impossible in the first place and unnecessary in
the second place because not everything is of equal importance. Spend more
time listening and attempt to take down the main points. If you are
writing as fast as you can, you cannot be as discriminating a listener.
There may be some times, however, when it is more important to write than
to think.
- Listen for cues as to important points,
transition form one point to the next, repetition of points for emphasis,
changes in voice inflections, enumeration of a series of points, etc.
- Many lecturers attempt to present a few
major points and several minor points in a lecture. The rest is
explanatory material and samples. Try to see the main points and do not
get lost in a barrage of minor points which do not seem related to each
other. The relationship is there if you will listen for it. Be alert to
cues about what the professor thinks is important.
- Make your original notes legible enough
for your own reading, but use abbreviations of your own invention when
possible. The effort required to recopy notes can be better spent in
rereading them and thinking about them. Although neatness is a virtue in
some respect, it does not necessarily increase your learning.
- Copy down everything on the board,
regardless. Did you ever stop to think that every blackboard scribble may
be a clue to an exam item? You may not be able to integrate what is on the
board into your lecture notes, but if you copy it, it may serve as a
useful clue for you later. If not, what the heck -- you haven't wasted
anything. You were in the classroom anyway.
- Sit as close to the front of the class,
there are fewer distractions and it is easier to hear, see and attend to
important material.
- Get assignments and suggestions precisely
- ask questions if you're not sure.
Resource:
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/notetake.html |