"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It
takes a touch of genius --- and a lot of courage to move in the opposite
direction." - Albert Einstein
Note-Taking Tips for Students - Part 1/2
Taking notes when viewing your on-line classes is one of the most effective ways to understand the material being presented in class. Unless you have a photographic memory, you'll need to learn this important skill. Follow these general guidelines and you’ll be a pro in no time.
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Come to 'class' prepared. Always bring enough paper, a writing instrument of your choice and a flash drive to class.
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Be organized and follow a routine. If you are also writing out your notes, it's not a bad idea to start a new page for each new class, but your on-line classes have outlines already laid out in a logical order. All you have to do is copy & paste the outline into a Word document, and then transfer your on-line notes to it. For written notes, be sure to put the date on the top of the first page. This
way you will know exactly where the notes for each topic begin. For written notes, organize them in their own separate binders/spiral notebooks.
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Don’t try to write down every word your teacher says. You will not be able to, even if you
can write very fast. More importantly, in trying to do so, you will miss the overall point your
teacher is trying to make. Whenever possible, write down the information in your own words. You can always pause the on-line instruction when you are writing your notes. Using the preexisting course outline format for typing in your notes is a good idea because they have already been prepared perfectly for you to copy what you have already typed into the e-notes and then paste them into Word documents that you are storing in your flash-drive memory sticks.
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Write down the big ideas. Listen for facts, connections, and main ideas. This may take a
while to get used to, because you will need to divide your attention between listening to the
teacher and writing your notes. Don’t get frustrated. In time, this will
become easier.
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Use abbreviations for commonly occurring names and words. You can develop your
own abbreviations, so long as you don’t forget what they stand for. For example, in a lecture
on Einstein, you might write his name out the first time, and then abbreviate it as "E"
throughout the rest of your notes. Long words such as government can become "govt" and
federal can become "fed." Develop your own system and stick to it, once it works.
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Again, for written notes, leave lots of room on the page. When writing, leave ample space between ideas. This is
like pausing before you begin a new sentence. Your notes will much easier to read, and
you’ll have space to add information later on, if needed. Don’t try to cram everything onto
one piece of paper.
Copying and pasting your e-notes into Word documents helps you to further organize your thinking because you have to fit the right information you are copying into your outline. Correcting spelling, and grammar mistakes, helps you sharpen your spelling and writing skills. Remember to use Word's spell checker (misspelled words are automatically underlined in red. Green underlining in Word docs indicate mechanical (too many spaces between words) or grammatical errors. A note of caution: be careful with both features because not all words are stored in the Word doc dictionaries, and not all grammar mistakes are grammar mistakes. Nevertheless, both features are convenient tools that will enhance your writing skills.
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Use diagrams and pictures where necessary. Sometimes it is helpful to draw pictures
that illustrate the connections between ideas, sequences, or events. Don’t be afraid to draw
pictures that will help you understand the material.
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Write down corresponding page numbers from other textbooks or reading materials you are referencing as you study the topic at hand. Teachers often use the
textbook to refer to ideas you’re learning in class. Recording the page number of
corresponding ideas and homework assignments can come in handy later on.
- Review your notes for accuracy. It’s a good idea to look over your notes sometime after class for accuracy and completeness. Consider doing this just before doing your homework to get yourself back in the mindset of the material.
- Compare your notes with fellow students - if that is at all possible. Sometimes you are going to miss something said in the lectures. Consider forming a partnership with another student at the beginning of class on whom you can rely (and vise-versa) for comparing notes.
- Get used to typing out your notes because you will be able to do so on a laptop during lectures when you get to university. Typed notes are easier to read. You can also learn a lot when you are copy-editing and correcting any errors. This is a great skill to develop as you listen to your on-line lectures. Develop it now while you have the time.
* Adapted from McGraw Hill note-taking strategies
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