Note-Taking Strategies and Tips

Note-Taking Strategies and Tips

For most of us, hearing something once is usually not enough to really learn it. Therefore, note taking becomes a key way to refresh your memory, study for a quiz or test, and make connections to other information that you have learned before or will learn in the future. Clearly written, accurate notes help you to focus and learn during class time.

Taking notes in class

1.  Clear your desk of any non-essential materials to minimize distractions. If your desk is cluttered, your mind will be cluttered also.

2.  Begin each note taking session at the top of a fresh page on the right side of your interactive notebook. Start by writing down the date.

3.  If we emphasize certain names, dates, places, main ideas, or facts, mark them with an asterisk (*) or star, highlight them, and/or underline them.

4.  Use short sentences and phrases and easily remembered abbreviations and symbols. Some commonly used abbreviations and symbols are

·  c/c (compare/contrast)

·  ie (that is or for example)

·  eg or ex (for example)

·  w/ (with) or w/o (without)

·  &, + (and)

·  = (equals, is)

5.  Write clearly and leave lots of blank space in the left margin or between ideas in case you need to add information later.

6.  Read over your notes as soon as you can after class. If there is anything you don't understand, ask the teacher at the next class.

Taking notes from textbooks

1.  Organize your paper the same as for class notes.

2.  Put the date at the top of the page.

3.  Write down the page number(s), and the titles of the chapter and section from which you will be taking notes at the top of the page.

4.  Leave space in the left margin or between ideas for your own comments or questions.

5.  Get a general idea of what the reading is about.

6.  Read the introduction, headings and subheadings, and any paragraphs that summarize the content.

7.  Look at any illustrations or graphs and charts and read the captions.

8.  Go back and read the chapter or section carefully.

·  Look for the main ideas.

·  Look for any vocabulary terms, highlighted words or phrases, names and dates.

·  Try not to copy information directly from the textbook into your notes. Instead, summarize the information in your own words. This will help you to concentrate and learn.

·  If you do copy directly from the textbook, use quotation marks to indicate that it is a direct quotation. Take care to copy the quotation exactly.

9.  Summarize the main ideas at the end of your notes. Pretend you are teaching somebody about the material you have just read. Try to explain out loud and in your own words what the reading was about.

. FRIENDLY