Better Notes for Better Grades

Questions How many of you take notes in class? When do you take notes? Has someone ever taught you to take

notes?

Why take notes? Encodes information – writing down helps

you remember Promotes active listening Allows you to store info for tests and

essays (what you use to study) Maintains a record of what your

instructor thinks is important Helps you find important info quickly and

easily—if your notes are organized!

When should you take notes?

When instructor lectures, even when using PowerPoints or handouts

During labs & Class Discussions

When you watch a film in class

When the instructor writes, diagrams, or draws

While reading a textbook

When given assignments and deadlines

3 Components of Good Notes

1. Be Concise2. Be Organized

3. Be Yourself

Be COY

Be Concise Include only

necessary words Use abbreviations Use symbols like “&”

instead of writing out “and”

Don’t concern yourself with spelling and grammar

Be Organized Review your notes after class to better

organize the information while it is fresh. Refine your first draft of notes (yes,

notes have drafts). See your professor if you think you

missed an important point!

Be OrganizedGroup concepts into

categoriesMake connections between

conceptsLeave blank space Emphasize certain items

Group concepts together & make connections: use arrows, diagrams

Leave blank space For things you don’t understand…yet Connections b/w textbook and lecture

Use the blank space to add additional information like definitions, examples, etc. as you review your notes.

Emphasize certain items by underlining, circling, highlighting

Be Organized Date and put them in the correct place – have a

folder or notebook for each class. Keep your notes in order to better understand

them later. Don’t lose important dates by including them

within your class notes—have a separate place to note due dates or test dates.

Be flexible—don’t try to treat every class the same. Try different types of note-taking for different classes to determine what is most effective.

Be Yourself Use your OWN WORDS Make up your own abbreviations,

etc. Find your style

Outlines Mapping Columns

Outlines

Mapping

Columns

Got notes… What do I do now?

Review ASAP after class to organize Write a summary of what that class

was about at the end of your notes Review notes once a week Use them!

when you study when you self-test for an exam

Evaluating Today’s Notes Did you try to write down everything I

said? Did you write down everything that

was in the PowerPoint? Did you write down good ideas that

your fellow students had?

Review: Let’s see how good your notes are. When should you take notes? What are the 3 components of good

notes? How can you be concise? How can you be organized? How can you be yourself?

Summing it Up Look over your notes quickly, and

let’s summarize what we’ve learned today!

Room A350214-860-2133

Drop by the El Centro College Learning Center

for additional help with

Note-Taking