1. Why take notes?
2. Good note-taking begins before class.
3. How to take good notes.
4. What to do with the notes now you have them.
5. Other issues.

Why Take Notes?

Taking notes in the correct manner forces you to be an active listener and focusses your attention all the more on what is being said. By being an active listener you start the learning process and so shorten the time required to master the material after class. You get the full benefit of attending class. Passive listeners retain much less information (try taking a pop quiz on an educational TV show you've just watched) -- this makes using the text much more difficult because they have no written record as to how the instructor explained things or connected ideas, and it makes studying much less efficient because they have no record as to the relative importance of material. Passive listeners obtain only partial benefit from class attendance.

Be an active listener.
 
 
 

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Good note-taking begins before class.

Also, preparation (i.e. "studying") will tell you if there is anything you did not fully understand from the previous session -- you are then prepared to ask a question on this (if you have not already done so during office hours) right at the start of the class and then move on with mastering the new material.

So, be prepared and get the full benefit from attending class.
 
 
 

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How to take good notes.

1. Come early, if possible.

Flip through your notes from the last class to remind you where you were at and to get yourself ready to listen or participate in the session.
2. Sit near the front of the class.

Being a wall flower (i.e. sitting along the back wall) is sure way to tune out. Also, you can't hear as well or see diagrams and writing clearly.
3. On a new page enter the class and date.

A new page is a fresh beginning.
4. Format each page according to the "Cornell System."

The format looks like this:

Remember to make your lecture notes only in the "note-taking" area -- the use of the other areas will be discussed in the next section.

5. Don't be afraid to look at the instructor as s/he talks.

Your interest can inspire the teacher!
6. Do NOT copy down everything that is said -- listen for the structure of the knowledge.

Of course you should use abbreviations, but listening for the structure of the knowledge and recording this is what active listening is all about. Structured information is far easier to retain. Structured notes will be far more useful in studying and will help you read the text.
Here's how it's done:
• Listen for the main ideas being presented -- take these down and then add the supporting details (examples, proofs etc.). Remember, one reason to attend class is to get an idea of what is important!
• Main ideas are often stated right at the outset by the instructor and are often reinforced by a variety of devices: by writing on the board, by repetition, by enumeration ("the first point ..."), or by emphasis in voice or hand motion. Generally, you can separate the wheat from the chaff fairly easily.
• Supporting details are then discussed before the next main point is presented.
7. Make the structure of the material apparent in the way you write it down.

For example, a set of notes on this material might look as follows:

1. BEFORE THE LECTURE -- read text/prepare  sets you up for learning most -- get there early review notes format page 2. IN CLASS -- sit near front hear, see better, keep interest inspire teacher 3. WRITE SELECTIVELY --main ideas vs. supporting details structure helps retention -- signals tell main points repeats, voice, hands, listing ETC.

8. Leave lots of space/use one side only.

You'll need it later for adding to your notes, and compared to tuition, paper is cheap!
9. If something doesn't make sense, interrupt with a question.

Why leave not knowing something? Most other students will be glad you asked that question for them!
10. Don't doodle!

If you find yourself doing this then your mind is wandering -- help keep up your attention by taking notes. Perk up the professor by showing an interest!

What to do with the notes now you have them.

Most of what you have begun to learn in class will be forgotten within 24 hours unless you work with your notes as soon as possible to consolidate this learning. If you don't do this then you will have to start the learning all over again and, in extreme cases, you might as well not have bothered to take the notes in the first place.
Here's what you do the same day you attended the lecture:

1. Think back to the lecture and enter into your notes any further information or thoughts you might find useful. Even better, meet immediately with one or two other students from the class and go over your notes together, adding and clarifying points. (Consider starting a study group).
2. Read your notes carefully and enter into the "Cue Column" some key words or short phrases that sum up the content of each section. If you like, these can be in question form. This process of reduction ensures you understand the material and are able to put it in your own words (which is needed for answering written exam questions).
3. Now, cover up the notes and try to recall the information using the key words in the Cue Column. This begins the process of memorization.
4. On the opposite page, you can summarize the knowledge in different ways -- for example devise a flow chart or concept diagram to show how the facts are connected. This also helps retention.
5. As you recall your notes using either the Cue Column or the flow chart, be sure to "talk it out." Putting it in your words makes the knowledge your own and makes it far harder to forget!
6. If you like, you can record vocabulary words, mnemonics (such as acronyms) etc. in the "Summary" space at the bottom of the page. Or, you can make up some flash cards to carry around for quick review anywhere.

Buy a three-ring binder for each subject to keep your notes in once you have given them the "treatment" prescribed above -- get them out of that spiral notebook where they will languish and perhaps even get lost!

Be sure to review your notes again as many times as possible before the next class session -- usually only ten minutes here and there is all that is needed.

At the end of each week review all your notes.

If you do this then studying for an exam becomes a review process, not a learning process.
 
 
 

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Other issues.

1. Discussion classes may require a modified style of note-taking.

This is because discussion groups do not always bring up points in the controlled, sequential manner that a well-organized lecturer does. Use the Cornell Format, but be a little more flexible in the style. Perhaps try concept mapping as a method of recording. But whatever you do, you will will need to record the main ideas being tossed around. This is also true in some "lecture" classes, depending on the instructor's style of presentation.
2. When do you find the time to do all this and read the text? That requires that study time be regularly scheduled each day. This is going to require very careful time management!