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Note-Taking Tips and Methods

Notes

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Atika Hussain
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9 views

Note-Taking Tips and Methods

Notes

Uploaded by

Atika Hussain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Note-taking skills are an essential tool for success that you can use in your courses, student organizations,

and career. It is one thing to write down information on paper during lectures, but taking quality notes allows
you to process and integrate new knowledge, record the information in your own words, and organize the new
material. Note-taking is more than just an in class activity. For the most benefit, use your note-taking skills before,
during, and after class.

Review the Text: This will give you a heads up of the terms, concepts, and information that will most likely be
covered in the lecture. It can also give you an idea of how to structure the information.

Identify Unfamiliar and/or Difficult Content: If you find certain terms, concepts, or information confusing, you will
know to take more specific notes during the lecture. You can also be sure to ask questions so that the instructor
can clarify the information.

Format Your Notes: Find a style of note-taking that works best for YOU and the course. This might be using one
style or a combination of styles so that you notes are the best resource they can be.

Record Examples & the Most Important Information: Don’t worry about recording every word the instructor
says or your grammar and spelling. Instead, write down the most important information, main
ideas/terms, and examples discussed in class.

Review within 24 Hours: To minimize forgetting and maximize information retention, review your notes
within 24 hours after your class.

Fill in Gaps: During class, you might not have been able to write down all of the information on a topic or an
example you thought of after the lecture– add that information to your notes! This is also a chance to fix any
spelling or grammar errors you might have made while quickly recording notes.

Summarize the Information: At the end of your notes for each class, write a short summary or synopsis to what
you learned in class. This will help you focus back on the main ideas of the lecture and can serve as a quick
review before your next class to help refresh the content covered.

• You can’t take notes if you aren’t in class or prepared with pencil and paper.
• Try different note-taking methods (examples on back) before deciding which works
best for you and each of your courses.
• Add color, graphics, and charts to personalize your notes and draw attention to the
important facts, statistics, and terms.
Information is structured
from a
BIG, MAIN IDEA
down to
SMALL, SPECIFIC DETAILS

Great for:
• Visual learners
• Summarizing & studying
• Breaking down complex ideas

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