A SYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE LISTENING AND NOTE-TAKING If you’re trying to quickly and accurately write down every single word on the screen right now, then you are wasting precious class time and not probably not listening to your instructor STOP!!! Listen—THINK—then write.

A SYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE LISTENING AND NOTE-TAKING enhanceNOTE-TAKING is one way to enhance listening NOTE-TAKING is WRITING—the process of taking notes helps you learn.

BEFORE CLASS Develop a mind-setDevelop a mind-set geared toward listening. (Focus Silently!) Test yourselfTest yourself over the previous lecture while waiting for the next one to begin. SkimSkim relevant reading assignments to acquaint yourself with main ideas, new technical terms, etc.

BEFORE CLASS INTEND TO LISTENINTEND TO LISTEN.

Treat listening as a challenging mental taskTreat listening as a challenging mental task –Listening to an academic lecture is a mentally active event DURING CLASS

ListenLOOKListen and LOOK for the structure and information in the lecture. Pay attentionPay attention to the speaker for verbal, postural, and visual clues to what's important.

DURING CLASS Avoid distractions:Avoid distractions: –Don't let your mind wander –Avoid being distracted by the person shuffling papers near you.

DURING CLASS Avoid emotional involvementAvoid emotional involvement –When you are too emotionally involved in listening, you tend to hear what you want to hear—not what is actually being said. –Try to remain objective and open-minded.

DURING CLASS Ask questions if you don't understand. Instead of closing your notebook early and getting ready to leave, listen carefully to information given toward the end of class; summary statements may be of particular value in highlighting main points; there may be possible quiz questions, etc.

Use the gap between the rate of speech and your rate of thoughtUse the gap between the rate of speech and your rate of thought You can think faster than the lecturer can talk. That's one reason your mind may tend to wander. All the above suggestions will help you keep your mind occupied and focused on what being said. DURING CLASS

anticipateYou can actually begin to anticipate what the professor is going to say as a way to keep your mind from straying. it does take practiceYour mind does have the capacity to listen, think, write and ponder at the same time, but it does take practice. DURING CLASS

Stay active by asking mental questionsStay active by asking mental questions –What key point is the professor making? –How does this fit with what I know from previous lectures? –How is this lecture organized? USE –How will I USE this information? DURING CLASS

Edit your notes emergence of themes –Look for the emergence of themes, main concepts, methods of presentation over the course of several lectures. –Make up and answer possible test questions. –REFLECT (connect ideas to your life!!!) AFTER CLASS Every night! (7 nights a week)

The Cornell Note Taking System

The 5 R's of note-taking: RecordRecord ideas –During the lecture, record in the main column as many relevant facts and ideas as you can.

The 5 R's of note-taking: ReduceReduce –As soon after as possible, summarize these facts and ideas concisely in the Cue Column.

The 5 R's of note-taking: ReciteRecite –Cover the Note Taking Area, using only your jottings in the Cue Column ideas –Say over the facts and ideas of the lecture as fully as you can, not mechanically, but in your own words.

The 5 R's of note-taking: ReflectReflect THINKYOUR –While skimming, THINK about YOUR: Ideas Opinions Reactions Predictions –Make CONNECTIONS to the materials as much as possible!

The 5 R's of note-taking: ReviewReview –Spend 10 minutes every night in quick review of your notes, and you will retain most of what you have learned. –Spend minutes a week to review ALL course notes for each class