NOTETAKING 101
In my country,the first uni semester usually starts at October (which means very soon) and i’m more that excited!.However, i can’t help but have some concerns.As a first year, i have no knowledge of the whole “University” concept,that’s why i’m currectly browsing on internet about uni hacks/tips and useful advice from other uni/college students.
Here are some EXTREMELY IMPORTANT notetaking tips by The Academic Success Center
BEFORE CLASS
~ Identify main concepts and terms you expect to learn
~ Write questions you hope the lecture will answer
DURING CLASS
~ Take notes in your own words
~ Use consistent abbreviations and symbols
~ Answer any questions you wrote before class
~ Capture main ideas and sufficient detail (definitions, examples, images)
~ Make and visualize connections between concepts
AFTER CLASS
~ Make time to return to your notes after class
~ Transform your notes into a new format (e.g., visual, mind map, quiz questions, study guide)
~ Summarize your notes in writing, verbally, or—better yet—both!
~ Connect current class notes to concepts from the previous classes/weeks
~ Compare notes with a classmate to catch missed info
NOTE TAKING MYTH BUSTERS
MYTH: All you need to do is take notes during class
FOR REALS: Notes are only as good as what you do with them after class. Learning happens when you put notes to use. Here are a few ways to commit notes to memory:
• Transform your notes into a new format (summary, visual, diagram, etc.)
• Explain your notes and main points aloud to someone else
•Write possible test questions based on your notes
•Create a study guide that you add to each week with new information and connections you’ve made
MYTH: You should write down everything you hear in lecture
FOR REALS: Don’t do that. You might end up tuning out content if you only focus on transcription. Or you might get super stressed if you miss a word. Instead…
• Listen for key points
• Translate ideas into your own words
• Listen 80% of the time and write 20% of the time
• If you know you have a question about a concept, don’t stress. Mark it, so you can review it later with other materials or in office hours
MYTH: Quantity = Quality
FOR REALS: Excessive note taking may not be quality note taking. Check your balance between listening, learning, and note taking by asking…
• Am I focused on comprehension during lecture (rather than on transcription)? • Can I recall and explain what I learned after lecture?
• Do my notes have enough main points and detail for me to use them later in a new way? (e.g. writing a summary, drawing a mind map)
If you want to read more.Here’s the link : https://success.oregonstate.edu/sites/success.oregonstate.edu/files/LearningCorner/Tools/4-page_note_taking_20.pdf