Making notes in class

Taking good notes can be difficult; the teacher, tutor or lecturer may be going too fast, or you may be bored or distracted. Here are some suggestions:

Preparing: Prepare mentally for the class. If you have time, review what you did last time and look over the material for your next class in your text book (if you know what it is). During the class, be an active listener and think about the ideas and that the teacher is describing, making up your own questions and responses rather than just passively copying down word for word what is said.

Notes: Develop a note-taking system that works for you. Use different coloured pens, pencils and highlighters. Underline key facts and use numbering and indenting so that you can emphasise headings, main and secondary points and examples.

You may find that using the paper in landscape format (wider than high) is more flexible.

Rule a 5cm margin down the left hand side of every page where you can put key words, questions and comments, both during the class and later when you're revising.

Use abbreviations, symbols and key words. Don't write out whole sentences except for key definitions and quotations. Leave plenty of space so you can add to your notes later and write on one side only of the paper.

Many abbreviations are Latin based such as e.g., etc., cf., c., no., and NB. Other abbreviations are often based around the beginning and/or the final letters of a word, usually leaving out most of the vowels.

Create your own abbreviations for common words and concepts in your subject areas. The important principle is that the abbreviations and symbols you use are consistent and readily understandable to you. You must be able to read back your notes easily and accurately at all times.

Have a look at Murdoch University for some examples.

Make your notes into mind-maps later, to give you a visual representation of the ideas and their interrelationships.

Reviewing: - It is crucially important to review your notes soon after making them. Review, rewrite, find meaning in them. Your memory fades quickly without review.

[-> next, go to the section on - Revision planning ]

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