How to Take Lecture Notes, Part 1

Here's how to get the most out of a lecture, and have amazing notes to show for it. Steps: Before the Lecture Begins: 1. Prepare for the lecture so that you will be more likely to predict the organization of the lecture. Check the course outline to see if the lecturer has listed the topic or key ideas in the upcoming lecture. If so, convert this information into questions, or structure your notebook according to the headings provided in the outline. If no outline is given, try to structure the presentation yourself when you revisit the notes later. 2. If an outline or handout is given out at the beginning of class, skim it quickly. Underline or highlight topics, new vocabulary, key questions and/or main ideas. 3. Ideally, you will come to class having read the assigned material. Attending the lecture with the information fresh in your mind will undoubtedly help you follow the presentation with greater ease and less confusion. 4. Sit as near to the front of the room as possible to eliminate distractions. You may even want to come five or ten minutes early to get a good seat and have time to set up your pen and notebook or laptop. 5. Have a proper attitude. Listening well is a matter of paying close attention. Be prepared to be open-minded about what the lecturer may be saying, even though you may disagree with it. 6. Have extra pencils sharpened and ready, or extra lead for mechanical pencils in case a pencil breaks during the lecture. 7. Write down the title of the lecture, and the date. Keeping your notes organized will pay off when it comes time to study. 8. If you miss a lecture, make sure to write it down in your notes as well, so that you will not forget. This way you ensure that you will get the notes from a friend or colleague instead of missing out on the material entirely. During the Lecture: 1. Listen carefully to the introduction (if there is one). By knowing this outline, you will be better prepared to anticipate what notes you will need to take. Decipher this outline by listening for: o A topic for each section. o Supporting points or examples for the topic. 2. Copy what's written on the whiteboard, or overhead projector, especially the outline. To make sure that you get everything, get in the habit of skipping words like "the" and "a" and make use of shorthand and abbreviations. Summarize your notes in your own words, not the instructor's. Remember: your goal is to understand what the professor is saying, not to try to record exactly everything he or she says. 3. Recognize main ideas by signal words that indicate something important is to follow. See the tip on signals below. 4. Jot down details or examples that support the main ideas. Take down examples and sketches which the lecturer presents. Indicate examples with "e.g." Give special attention to details not covered in the textbook. 5. Come up with symbols for words used often that you can remember easily. 6. Take detailed notes if possible. 7. Draw diagrams for concepts you can't remember easily or don't understand. 8. If there is a summary at the end of the lecture, pay close attention to it. You can use it to check the organization of your notes. If your notes seem disorganized, copy down the main points that are covered in the summary. It will help in revising your notes later. 9. At the end of the lecture, ask questions about points that you did not understand. 10. If (s)he begins to get off topic by telling a story...write it down anyway. Stories help people remember. The story might be related to what you are learning, and may even be on the test. 11. If it becomes apparent that he or she is trying to stress or emphasize something, be sure to get it down. Maybe even a couple times. After the Lecture: 1. Revise your notes as quickly as possible, preferably immediately after the lecture, since at that time you will still remember a good deal of the lecture. Also it is a good idea to reread your notes within 24 hours of the lecture. It may be a good idea to rewrite or type your notes to make them clearer and more organized. 2. Revise it with a class mate or two. Two students see and hear more than one. Your notes will have different gaps than that of your class mates. originated by: Gordon Hensley, BS, MFA, Jack Herrick, Ben Rubenstein, Krystle C. Source: www.wikihow.com