Have you ever experienced a student entering a session and not remembering anything that happened the last time they attended the class? Or maybe it’s even happened to you as you went to study but drew blank on key information… No worries, it’s happened to all of us at some point! Here, we have compiled a list of helpful note-taking tips for you and your students to make your life a little easier throughout the semester.
- Listen actively. Try to think before you write, but not to the point you fall behind.
- Raise questions where appropriate. If you miss a key point, raise your hand and ask!
- Develop and use a standard method of note-taking, including punctuation, abbreviations. margins, etc.
- Take and keep notes in a large notebook which allows you adequate space to indent and outline.
- Leave a few spaces as you move from one point to the next so you can fill additional points in later.
- Do not take down everything a lecturer says. It’s usually impossible and unnecessary. Everything is not of equal importance, so try to listen for the most important points.
- Listen for cues to important points – transitions from one point to the next, changes in voice inflections, emphasis on key words, etc.
- Use abbreviations/symbols of your own device when possible to hasten your note-taking, but make sure you can read and understand you notes.
- Copy down everything on the board itself. Almost anything the instructor writes down could be a clue to a main point.
- Sit as close to the front of class as possible. There will be less distractions and you will be able to hear better.
- Go over your notes later that night of the next morning. This sort of reinforcements is proven to help you remember what you wrote better.