One of the best ways to stay focused in class is by taking lecture notes. Richa Pant from Mumbai tells you how to go about it
Hearing something once isn't enough to learn it well, and that's why note taking is so important. Well-written, accurate notes allow you to capture information for later study and review.
Taking notes is also an effective way of focusing and learning during the class time as well. Just like reading, note-taking is a skill that needs to be inculcated and refined.
Poor note-taking skills are a common problem in the study methods of many school and college students.
Why should I take notes in class?
- Your memory is not always reliable and may let you down.
- Your notes provide a summary to study from.
- Making notes helps you put the main ideas into your own words, which makes it easier to remember them.
Taking notes in class - Sit at the front of the class to reduce distractions.
- Use a different notebook for each subject.
- Use short sentences, phrases and abbreviations/symbols.
- A few examples are:
- cf (compare)
- ie (that is)
- eg (for example)
- w/ (with)
- w/o (without)
- &, + (and)
- = (equals, is)
- Write clearly, leaving a blank space in the margin in case you need to add information later.
- Use headings and sub-headings.
- List items 1,2,3, etc.
- Use phrases or words instead of sentences.
- Don't try to write down each and every word. Instead, go for the main ideas.
- Listen and watch for signals from the teacher that will help you catch the main ideas, such as:
- Repeating a point over and over
- Speaking loudly to emphasise
- Writing on the board
- Saying things like: "The three important reasons for this are..."
- Go over your notes as soon as possible after class. If you don't understand something, just ask your teacher at the next class.
Taking notes from textbooks
- Write down the name of the book and the chapter you are taking notes from.
- Leave some space in the left margin or between ideas for your own comments/questions.
- Maintain your textbook notes separately from class notes.
- Skim the introduction, headings and subheadings.
- Study any illustrations, graphs and charts given.
- Go back and read the whole chapter carefully, looking for the main ideas.
- Instead of copying directly from the textbook, summarise the information in your own words.
- Summarise all the main ideas at the very end of your notes and highlight or circle them.
Now can you summarise the class to someone who wasn't there, or explain a chapter of a book to someone in your own words?
If you can, congratulations - you've done a great job of note-taking!
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
