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Success Strategies
Note Taking
Taking good notes is important for college success, but not many students are taught how to take notes. You are not alone if you wonder, “What am I supposed to write down?” or “What am I supposed to do with my notes after I write them down?” Fortunately, note taking is a skill that can be learned. And, as with most skills, note taking gets better with practice. As you learn better note-taking skills, you will find that you become a more discerning listener, see connections between concepts more clearly, study smarter, and do better on tests.
NOTE-TAKING TIPS AND STRATEGIES
Come prepared. Complete your readings before class. This way the lecture will activate prior knowledge so you will understand the lecture better and be able to zero in on key concepts. And be sure to bring paper and writing implements to class.
Write it down. Memory is a fickle friend. Don’t rely on it. Taking notes during lectures reduces study time considerably because the act of writing helps get the information into your brain. Also, writing while listening or reading can keep your mind from wandering and can hone your skills of identifying important information. So, should you write by hand or take notes on your laptop?
- The physical act of writing by hand activates learning centers of your brain. Taking notes by hand has been shown to be a better aid to retaining information than typing your notes. Thus, writing by hand can cut down significantly on study time. <Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110119095458.htm >
- If the instructor uses charts and diagrams or draws arrows on the board to show connections between ideas, you may lose this information in typed notes.
Still, taking notes on a laptop has advantages.
- Notes are easier to read when typed.
- There is less paper to keep track of and organize.
- It is easier to reorganize notes and combine sections in an electronic document.
- Terms can be easily searched in a typed document.
- Free and low-cost note-taking software can help with formatting and organizing. Text-expander programs can save you time by filling in the rest of a word or phrase.
Be an active listener. Note taking is actually a thinking tool that requires picking out key information and making connections. Don’t just hear; actively listen. And just as listening helps you become a better note taker, taking notes also helps you become a better listener.
Don’t get discouraged; just do it. Taking notes is a skill that gets better with practice. The more you do it, the easier it is to key in on important information. With practice, you will get more out of your lectures and readings because you will have trained yourself to pay attention to what’s important.
Ask questions. If you find while taking notes that you are confused about a point in the lecture that may be important, ask for clarification. Instructors expect students to have questions as they are learning new concepts and are pleased when they see that students are genuinely trying to understand. Learn more about Finding Help.
Don’t write word for word. You can’t and shouldn’t write down everything you hear. That would be exhausting and not as useful as you might think. Instead, look for the “meat” of the message. What is the core idea that the instructor is trying to get across? Also, write telegraphically. This means that it’s okay to leave out little words like “a” and “the” in your notes. Develop your own system of abbreviations for recurring words and phrases. (If you really want a word-for-word account of the lecture, consider bringing in an audio recorder.)
Listen for main ideas and supporting details. If the instructor discusses a concept that you read about in your textbook, especially one that was a section heading in the textbook, take notes. Make a note of supporting facts, explanations, and examples. Note any definitions.
Take cues from the instructor. How do you know which information you should include in your notes? Instructors give signals that certain information is important by writing on the board, using visuals, changing speech patterns or gestures, and repeating key words.
Here are some things to pay attention to.
- tone of voice: The instructor may emphasize important points with tone of voice (louder, higher pitch).
- repetition: The instructor may repeat key words or phrases.
- writing on the board: If the instructor writes something on the board, it is probably important. If the instructor underlines or stars a point that is written on the board, it is probably really important.
- charts and diagrams: Key information may be displayed visually, so copy down diagrams in your notes.
- visual emphasis in a slide presentation: Make a note of any terms or concepts that are in boldface or underlined on the screen.
- definitions: If the instructor defines a term, write the term and its definition.
Listen for “heads up” phrases. Certain phrases should make you perk up your ears and listen for what comes next. When you hear phrases like “above all,” “three reasons,” and “this means,” pick up your pen. The instructor is about to discuss an important point or relate a point to the main idea. When you hear these phrases, get ready to write! See more “heads-up” phrases.
| If your instructor says | You should |
| Today we will explore… | • Listen for the main topic of the lecture. • Write this as the heading of your notes for today. |
| Two hypotheses about… | • Listen for the two hypotheses. • Number them in your notes. • Jot down a quick explanation and major points of support for each. • Define key terms. |
| Types of…. | • Get ready to write the types. • Make sure you have written down the main heading that is about to be divided into classifications. |
| Arguments for/Advantages (Arguments against/Disadvantages) | • Listen for important support material. • Number the arguments for or against or label them “pro” and “con”. • Or divide your paper into two columns so you can list advantages in one column and disadvantages in the other.. Then you can see the pros and cons of an issue side by side. |
| This means… | • Write down the meaning. The instructor is going to give you a definition or an interpretation that may show up on an exam. |
| For example, | • Write down the example. • Make sure you understand what it is an example of. Ask if you are unsure. |
| Another reason is…, | • Listen for the reason. • Make sure you caught the previous reason(s) mentioned by the instructor. • Add a heading: You can write “Reasons for ____________” or simply “Why?” at the beginning of this section of your notes. • Number the reasons to help you locate them when you study. |
| Most importantly, | • Write whatever follows. You’ve been told it’s not only important, but most important. |
| The researchers show, | • Understand that whatever the researchers have demonstrated may be widely accepted in the field. • Make notes on how the researchers show this. These points of support may come in handy in an exam question. |
| A major breakthrough… | • Get your pen ready: This sounds major, so what is the breakthrough? • Write down a few facts about it. |
| In conclusion… | • Listen carefully: What’s the conclusion? • Ask yourself, “Is this the main point I’m supposed to take away from the lecture?” |
Use your notes to review and reflect. It’s not enough to simply take notes; you have to use them -- and the sooner the better. Reflecting on you notes helps the knowledge sink in and helps you see connections between ideas. Review them that night or the next day. This will help you retain information. The longer you wait to review your notes, the more you will have to re-learn.
Find the note-taking method that works best for you. There are many different approaches to taking notes. You just have to experiment and figure out what works for you. And you may find that different methods work better for different subject matter or lecture styles. Here are some popular methods: