Some students may be surprised at the differences between high school and college. While high school teachers had the time to offer you individual help and tailor lectures to the students they were teaching, college professors often teach to a hundred students or more, and lectures are often fast paced events designed to pack the maximum amount of information into the minimum amount of time. Learning note taking techniques can not only make your college life easier, it can be the difference between straight A’s and just getting by.
While you may have relied on your memory or textbooks in the past, college lectures are so full of information that you may not be able to get anywhere else that relying on your memory won’t work anymore. The first step toward successful note taking techniques is to attend class prepared to devote your full attention to the material presented by your teacher. To start, use binders rather than bound notebooks. This allows you to remove pages that you want to review later, insert any handouts from class, or add dividers to break up material. You will also want to bring highlighters to draw attention to any material that your instructor says is particularly important- in other words, this is the material that your instructor will likely test on. Make sure that you have reviewed your previous notes and completed all necessary reading before class. Keep in mind anything that was difficult to understand, and review vocabulary words that you aren’t sure of. Be focused and ready to learn, and don’t spend time thinking of all the places you would rather be.
The most important part of note taking is finding a method that works for you. There is no single “best” method, but there are a few general tips that can help keep you on track. Start with these basics, and then make changes to your not taking technique until you find the right one for you. First, begin each class on a fresh sheet of note paper. Place the date and name of the lecture (or subject) on the top of each page and then number each page. You will need this information later to keep things in order. Write only on the front side of pages, because it is easier to look at material when you don’t have to flip it back and forth. Consider writing on every other line of the paper, giving you room to add notes or questions later when you are studying the notes. You don’t need to write down every word your professor says- instead, make brief notes that consist of phrases and words that convey the information without giving you writer’s cramp. You may also want to create a set of abbreviations that are easy for you to understand, especially for frequently used words that take a long time to write. When you hear a word you are unfamiliar with, make a note of it so you can look it up later. Your notes should capture details, facts, and explanations which expand upon the important things your professor says. Anything your teacher writes on a whiteboard or posts on a transparency should be included in your notes, including drawings used to explain a concept.
Once you have completed your notes, don’t let that effort go to waste! Review your notes regularly, and continue to refine your note taking techniques to get the most out of every word. Doing a good job at note taking will make your college career more successful, and note taking is a skill you’ll be able to use even after you finish your degree.