1. Note-Taking Strategies
Your First Step to Success in College

2. Why Take Notes?
It’s a way to ensure you are getting the most out of your college experience
Requires organization, commitment, efficient time-management, and active participation
Improves your study habits and your ability to learn and retain the material

3. Three-Step Process Requires three steps:
Organize
Record
Review
Taking notes effectively takes time and practice
Don’t get discouraged
Ask for help
Help your Battle Buddy

4. Organization
Use a three-ring binder and binder paper, not just a spiral-bound notebook
Insert separators to build individual sections dedicated to:
The syllabus/schedule of assignments
Assignments
Essay materials
Including brainstorming, drafts, peer reviews, etc.
In-class handouts and workshops
Notes

5. Organization (continued)
Use one binder per class
This helps you from mixing up your notes from this class with other classes
Always complete the assigned reading before attending class
Better recall and familiarity with the material
Helps you identify main points/ideas for recording
Take notes while reading the assigned materials
Write questions to ask in class
Identify main points or passages you find interesting

6. Record Either: Actively listen for:
Create your own abbreviation system (include a legend for easy reference and consistent use)
Every symbol/abbreviation should only have one meaning
OR use a standard abbreviation system
Actively listen for:
Important points
Examples
Phrases that show relationships, summarizes, concludes, connects, compares and contrasts
Any time I say “This is important”

7. Record (continued)
Record general main ideas and details rather than taking notes verbatim*
*Don’t try to record everything I say
Clearly identify the relationship between the main ideas and the details
Takes notes during lectures and while reading
While reading, identify the main idea of each paragraph and the supporting details
Write questions you have about the material
Write your notes in your own words to show you understand the ideas and concepts

8. Review
Review your notes as soon after the lecture as possible for revision and memorizing
When taking notes about assigned readings, review notes before class to refamiliarize yourself with the ideas
Review your notes daily
Synthesize or combine your lecture notes and your reading notes on a weekly basis to make connections/compare & contrast

9. Systems of Recording: Cornell Notes
A dual- or multicolumn note-taking method
Easier revision
Better organization
An efficient format that allows you to pull out the main ideas of the lecture
Main ideas in the left-hand column
Details in the right-hand column

10. Systems of Recording: Outline Method
Can be used by itself or in conjunction with the Cornell Notes style
Immediately shows the relationships between ideas
Main ideas/general information on the left
Supporting details indented
Further indent specific examples or details

11. Assignment for Monday, April 10
Get a three-ring binder for this class
Create and separate sections with dividers
You may choose what sections you wish to create, but please include at least one section for notes
Clearly label the dividers so you can easily identify each section
The dividers don’t need to be fancy, but they should help you clearly distinguish between the sections
Put the schedule of assignments near the beginning of the binder for easy access
Check in with your Battle Buddy

12. Works Cited
“Note Taking Strategies.” Saint Mary’s College of California, n.d., Accessed 7 April 2017.