Tip 5: Take Good Notes

Proper Note Taking is one of the hardest skills to learn. Most students have issues with either the inability of taking enough notes or trying to write so much down that they are unable to get the most important points from the notes.

So the key to taking great notes is to listen actively. Nowadays we have so many distractions, even in the classroom that it is hard to be an active listened but the one thing you should remember is focus on what the teacher is saying at all times. That means put electronic devices away and listen at all times.

Learn a good note taking method that works for you. I like the Cornell Method of note taking which states the following:

Record: During the lecture, use the note taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences.

Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based on the notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.

Recite: Cover the note taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.

Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?

Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.

Click on this link for a template on Cornell Note Taking: http://www.worksheetworks.com/miscellanea/cornell-note-taking-paper.html

Even if you cannot use the Cornell Method during class rewrite your notes in this format after class.

Happy Note-taking

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