note taking tips
TRANSCRIPT
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