Taking Good Notes

Here are some tips to help you improve your note taking skills.

Before Class

• Complete reading/writing assignments on time.
• Read or skim material in the textbook relating to that day's lecture.
• As you read, note any questions you have.
• Familiarize yourself with important terms.

In Class

• Attend class regularly.
• Be prepared. Arrive early with necessary materials : notebook, pen, textbook.
• Sit near the front and away from distractions.
• Keep a positive attitude:
• Assume the material is worth learning and that you can master it.
• Block out negative thoughts about the course, the instructor, or your classmates.
• Listen actively:
• Concentrate.
• Listen for main ideas and important details.
• Focus on the instructor:
  Look for clues about what is important: repeated, spoken slowly, written on the board.
• Listen for clues to test questions: "This is important." "Remember this." "You'll see this again/ you saw this before." "Here's a common mistake."
• Listen for emphasis words and enumerations: "the five causes", "the three results".
• Don't pack up before the end of class! The last five minutes often contain summaries, wrap-ups, homework instructions, new topic introductions and other important material.
• If you feel lost, don't give up. Stay focused and connected. Write down whatever you can, even if you don't understand it. Seek clarification later from another student, the instructor, or the textbook.
• If you miss something, leave a blank with a "?" and continue with your notes. Get what you missed from another student after class.
• Identify other students who take clear and complete notes. Borrow from these people if you have to miss a class.

Writing Tips

• Use a separate, full size notebook for each course.
• Write clearly, in ink.
• Start the notes for each class on a fresh page. Write the date on the top.
• Leave a generous amount of white space on the page, so you can make additions later.
• Use common abbreviations : w/, bec, info, +, =, etc.
• Use stars, underlining, and exclamation points to emphasize key information.
• Don't try to copy down every word of the lecture. Write down main ideas and supporting examples in your own words.

After Class

• Review your notes. Fill in any half finished phrases. Mark important ideas, concepts and definitions.
• Write down any questions to ask your instructor.

For more information

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.html