Counseling & Career Development Center
Note Taking
Being a good note taker involves a few basic skills...
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- Preparing for the upcoming material
- Watching for clues
- Keeping your attention
20 Strategies for Taking Good Notes
Preparation
1. Complete outside assignments: the more familiar you are with subject, the easier it will be to understand in class.
2. Bring the right materials: pen, pencil, notebook, text.
3. Sit front and center: you'll do better on tests, it's harder to fall asleep, there are fewer distractions, the board is easier to read.
4. Pre-class review: arrive early, review material.
5. Clarify your intentions: what is your intended level of participation?
Observation
6. Be alert to repetition: things that are important to the instructor.
7. Listen for introductory, concluding, and transition words and phrases.
8. Watch the board or overhead projector.
9. Watch the instructor's eye: if he/she glances at notes, it's important.
10. Highlight the obvious clues: instructors may give clues to the test material.
11. Notice the instructor's interest level: if he/she is excited, it's important.
Attention
12. Accept your wandering mind: gently refocus your attention.
13. Notice your writing: how the pen feels.
14. Be with the instructor: imagine being in front with instructor.
15. Notice your environment: feel the temperature, your chair, hand on desk.
16. Postpone debate: don't let your internal dialogue drown out subsequent material.
17. Let go of judgments about lecture styles.
18. Participate in class activities: ask questions, volunteer, join in discussions.
19. Relate class to your goals: write them down.
20. Think critically about what you hear.
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| Counseling
and Career Development Center Forest Drive Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA 30460-8011 Phone: 912-478-5541 Fax: 912-478-0834 |
This site was last updated on 12/28/07. Please contact us with questions or comments. | |