Note Taking

1. Note Taking Jessica Morrow CS- 1100 May 19, 2011

2. Becoming a better note taker • To become a better note taker a person need to do the following things: • Observe: Set the stage ( prepare oneself on the topic) “Be here now” in class • Record: Come up with techiniques that will help you memorize the material • Review: Notes should be reviewed to see if you have all the important things.

3. Observe • When taking notes the student need to become familiar with the material. So first one need to set the stage. • To set the stage a person need to do the following

4. Setting the Stage • Sit front and centered: Sitting in the front of the class or sitting close to the instructor allow you to hear and take effective notes • Conduct a short preclass review: When doing a preclass review you need to review your notes and look over reading assignment. This will help you become familiar with your notes and see if you took effective ones • Bring the right material: When arriving to class make sure you have everything you will need to take effective notes.

5. Be here now in class • Notice your writing: Noticing how you are writing can help you become a better note taker also it can help you become less distracted • Think critically about what you hear: When you are thinking this will give you tie to write down questions that you have and these question can lead to great notes • Participate in class activities: By participating in class activities this help remember what was discussed so it can be added to your notes

6. Watch for clues • Be alert to repetition: When an instructor repeat something this means that this is important so note it… • Listen for transitional words and phrases: These words and phrases are signal to definitions, examples, and many other things. Also they can be used to organize your notes

7. Record • When you began to record your notes you need to do three things: Use general techniques for note taking, Use mind mapping, and use outlining.

8. General Techniques • Use key words: Key words trigger your memory. They evoke images that can help you remember what happened in class. • Use pictures and diagrams: Pictures and diagrams make the relationship between things visual. This will help trigger your memory while looking over your notes. • Keep your own thoughts separate: By mixing your thought with your lecture notes can cause you to be confused and what is important.

9. Mind Mapping • Give yourself plenty of room: to make the concept map and to write down extra notes • Use key words only: by using key word in you notes this helps you to have less things to remember. • Create links: If you create links in your note this will help you understand the note in its entirety

10. Outlining • When using this concept in your notes make sure that it flows and make sense

11. Review • Review your notes within 24 hours: Why? Because while you are taking notes they are stored in your short term memory ( short term memory deteriorates) So if you review them within 24 hours you can move them from short term to long term memory • Use your key words as cues to recite: Remember that key words trigger your memory. • Consider typing your notes: By typing your notes this will make the neater also this is a way to help them move from your short term memory to long term memory.

12. Conclusion • All the ways that I have listed are important because they will help you become a more effective note taker and student.