1. Note-Taking Strategies for Academic Success
Presented by Catherine Knight

2. Why Take Notes? Promotes Active Listening
Provides Accurate Record of Info
Makes You Restructure Information
Interpret (give meaning)
Condense
Organize
Provides Repetition
About 60% is forgotten after only 9 hours & After 2 days about 75% of information gone

3. Characteristics of Good Notes
Are Organized
Distinguish Main Points from Details
Include Examples
Indicate Lecture Patterns
Allow for Self-Testing
Stand the Test of Time
Use Abbreviations

4. Note-taking Systems/Formats
All should include:
Course Name
Date
Page number
Section for Notes
Section Summary
Section for Self-Test

5. Note-Taking Tools Laptop Pen and Paper
Use a note-taking program such as Evernote or OneNote
Learn to type (faster)
Become familiar with keyboard shortcuts
Use text expander programs
Pen and Paper
Notebook for each class
Write clearly

6. Before the Lecture: Prepare for Effective Note-Taking
Do the assigned reading
Arrive 10 minutes before class and review the assigned reading and notes from the previous class
Turn off wi-fi card or block the internet
Silence your phone and put away out of sight

7. During the Lecture: What to Write Down
Only write down the main points of the lecture
Write the professor’s summary at the end of class and his review at the beginning of the next class
Write down any examples or hypotheticals the professor gives during class
If you didn’t get a point, make a note of it, and wait until after class to ask

8. After the Lecture: Review, Clarify, and Synthesize
Review and clarify notes right after class
Synthesize notes into a master outline

9. Note-Taking Styles Rough Outline Method Cornell Style Notes
Mind Mapping
Branch Mapping
Comparison Mapping
Charting Method

10. Remember: Notetaking, Listening, & Participation is the Key to success
Information presented in class often contains the central concepts of the course and the material most likely to be included on exams. Yet, students frequently do not realize the importance of notetaking and listening. More essential than any note-taking strategy is paying attention. A lot of students make the mistake of taking so many notes that they're not in the here-and-now of the class. Others are surfing the Net, Facebooking, texting, or tweeting. Focus on what the instructor is presenting, and make an effort to learn the material right then and there:
Sit in a place where you can see and hear the professor clearly - the front of class is usually best (it's okay to be a nerd!)
Clear your space of any distractions that could prevent you from focusing on the class
If you're taking notes on a computer, turn off your wireless connection so you're not tempted to go online
The key is to develop a system that enables you to :
review regularly
recite (repeating key concepts from class)
reflect (connecting class ideas to other notes and readings)