1. Note-taking in University Lectures
Adam Segal, Learning Skills Program

2. Outline Why take notes? Knowing what is important Specific strategies
Mini Lecture (practice)
Follow-up and discussion

3. Why take notes?
The purpose of notes is to provide you with a written record of the ideas you thought were important in the lecture
Written notes serve as an all-important starting place for you to: relate ideas within your course; review; think critically; prepare for exams; and generate ideas
The act of writing notes keeps you focussed

4. Knowing what is important
You’re not able to take down every word the professor utters… and even so, it is important to think about what is most important
So, how do you know what’s important in a lecture?
Question?

5. Knowing what is important
Responding to the cues given by the instructor:
ideas professor repeats or spends a long time on
ideas written on board or overhead
ideas also covered in the text or course outline
change in pace, tone, emphasis, volume, body language
clear cues: “this is important” or “this will be on the exam!”

6. Specific Strategies: Abbreviations
Question?
Why is the word “abbreviations” so long?

7. Specific Strategies: Abbreviations
When it comes to note-taking, less is more: develop abbreviations to reduce the amount you have to write.
What abbreviations do you know that could help you keep up with a lecture?
Question?

8. Specific Strategies: Abbreviations
Answer!
! b/c w/ w/out
# no. & -->
(cut off syllables) reg. = regular
(omit letters) cont’d = continued

9. Specific Strategies: Lecturer’s Style
Learn your instructor’s style to detect the structure and inter-relationship of ideas in a lecture
e.g., starts with written outline, follows it, repeats key ideas, does not get off topic, ends on time.
e.g., starts with no outline, meanders through various topics, writes on the board, sums lecture very well at the end

10. Specific Strategies: Preparing for Lecture
Prepare for lecture by completing assigned readings, reviewing previous notes, and by examining the course outline
Make sure you understand the lecture: don’t be afraid to ask questions

11. Specific Strategies: Preparing for Lecture
Listen for ideas, not for individual words
Think: “what will I need to study”
Review your notes regularly to detect emerging themes and focal points

12. Specific Strategies: Formats
2 useful note-taking formats:
Cornell Notes 1. 2.
Mind-Maps

13. Cornell Notes
Date / Course
2 Columns
main notes column
key word column
Cornell notes are arranged with two columns, like this page is (nb. date/ course).
The wider column is used for the main notes; the narrow column is for key words, key phrases, questions, and your own ideas.

14. Cornell Notes Main notes column (done in class)
Key word column (done after class)
Notes taken in class are written in this portion of the page.
Ideally, use point form notes and focus on main ideas and important details.
Key words that you make after class go here.

15. Cornell Notes Take your notes from class in the wider column
Class notes in wider column
review notes within 24 hours
Take your notes from class in the wider column
After class, within 24 hours, review the notes, adjust them as necessary, and choose key words to represent the ideas in the main column.

16. Cornell Notes
cover main notes
recite ideas from the key words
Then, cover up the main notes column with a card or blank sheet of paper.
Use your key words to practice recalling and discussing the ideas.

17. Mind-Maps Here is an example mind- map: Main Concept Idea Idea Idea
Details
Details
Idea
Idea
Main Concept
Idea
Idea
Details
Details

18. Mind-Maps
Mind maps use key words and phrases to diagram the relationship between concepts, ideas, and details.
Advantages: flexibility; creativity; active review is required; attractive to re-read; can be combined with Cornell notes.
Show
relationships
Usefulness of
Mind Maps
Flexible,
attractive

19. Tips to help you make the grade!
end of Note-taking
Tips to help you make the grade!
Adam Segal
Counselling and Development Centre
York University