Note-Taking Tips

Note-Taking TipsOzarka College

Student Success [email protected]

How to pick out Main Ideas

• From Textbooks– Chapter Titles– Chapter Objectives– Headings– Sub-headings– Words in Bold, Italics or

Underlined– Numbered Lists and

Lettered Items– Chapter Outlines,

Summaries and Chapter Questions

• From Lectures– Information on Board or in

Handouts– Says “This is important” or

“Write this down”– Repeats Words or Ideas– In Class Activities,

Experiments or Group Work– Information Presented in

Lists, Steps, Stages or Phases

– Assigned Reading and or Chapter Questions

Time Savers

1. Don’t Try to Record Every Word

Give yourself more time to listen and focus by eliminating unnecessary words and phrases.

2. Record Words as They Sound Using as Few Letters as Possible

Ready = rdyBecause = bcHeight = htFreeze = frzExample = ex

Time Savers

3. Use Common Shorter FormsDifference = DiffBetween = btAutomobile = autoDouble = dblGeneral = gen

Time Savers

4. Substitute Letters or Numbers for SyllablesBefore = B4Forget = 4getCreate = Cre8Benign = B9

Time Savers

5. Use Standard AbbreviationsPound = lb.Information = infoPaid = pdWith = w/Without = wo/Reaction = rxn

Time Savers

6. Use Common Symbols to Replace WordsDollars, Money, Cost, Price = $Percent = %Water = H2OAnd = &Greater Than = >Less Than + <Increase, More = Decrease, Reduce =

Time Savers

8. Re-Write Notes Using as Few Words as Possible

– Cross out as many words as possible without losing the meaning.

– Cross out any remaining words for which abbreviations can be used and write the abbreviation above the word.

– Rewrite your new condensed sentence.

Time Savers

Your Turn…• Florida, South Carolina and Virginia are my

favorite vacation destinations because I love the beach and the warm weather.

How would you shorten this sentence?

Time Savers

• Think of your class schedule as a full-time job that requires you to show up every week.

How would you shorten this sentence?

REMEMBER…Only YOU need to understand your notes.

Types of Note-Taking Methods

• Cornell Notes• Outlining • Note Card Question and Answer• Mind Mapping

Cornell Method

1. Draw a Vertical Line the length of the page about 1/3 of the way from the left margin.

2. Turn main points from lectures and textbooks into questions. Place them to the left of the line.

3. Answers are formed out of the details and placed on the right hand side of the line.

Cornell Method

Answers in the form of details.

Questions in the form of main points.

Cornell MethodHow do I register for classes?

First- Review Degree Plan in College Catalog.

Second- Determine schedule to meet my needs.

Third- Meet with advisor to approve schedule and make any necessary changes.

Last- Register in myOzarka.

How do I meet with my advisor?

Call or email advisor to set up an appt.

Stop by during assigned office hours to set up an appointment.

Don’t be late!!

Outline Method

• Roman Numerals for Main Ideas(I., II., III.)• Capital Letters for Details (A., B., C.)• Numbers for Sub-Details (1., 2., 3.)• Small Letters for Sub-Sub-Details (a., b., c.)

Outline Method

I. 4 Reasons for Good NotesA. Provides materials to study and review for examsB. Helps focus attention in class

II. 5 Tips for Taking NotesA. Use a Specific Format

1. Cornell Method2. Outline Method3. Hybrid of Both

Outline Method

III. What to do after taking notesA. Rewrite and Organize Notes

1. Do not rewrite every word.a. Use abbreviationsb. Eliminate unnecessary vowels and lettersc. Use common symbols

2. Compare your notes with your classmates to fill in gaps

3. Add diagrams, sketches and charts to help your review

Notecard Q&A Format

– Using index cards, write a question on one side and the answer on the other.

– Quiz yourself regularly.– Have a “learned” pile and a “not yet learned”

pile. – Review the “learned” material every 2-3 days.– Review the “not yet learned” material every

other day.

MindmappingMind Maps abandon the list format of conventional note taking. They do this in favor of a two-dimensional structure.

• Write the title of the subject you're exploring in the center of the page, and draw a circle around it.

• As you come across major subdivisions or subheadings of the topic (or important facts that relate to the subject) draw lines out from this circle. Label these lines with these subdivisions or subheadings.

• As you "burrow" into the subject and uncover another level of information (further subheadings, or individual facts) belonging to the subheadings above, draw these as lines linked to the subheading lines.

Mindmapping

Time Management

More Time

Time W

asters

Tele

visio

n

Surfing the Internet

Wak

e Up

Ea

rlier

Delegate Chores

Better

Grades

Less Procrastination

More Study Time

PrioritiesFamily

Scho

ol

Job

Higher GPA

Scho

lars

hip

Oppo

rtuni

ties

Remember…

Regular and Repeated Recitation of Notes is the

Most Important Step!

Sources

University of Central Florida. Student Academic Resource Center. Learning Skills Handouts. www.sarc.sdes.ucf.edu/studyhandouts.php

Mind Tools. http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm