Study Skills
Taking Notes
Counselling Unit,
UWI, Mona
Taking Notes
Two types of Note-taking processes
• Taking notes in Lectures
• Taking notes from reading
The Note-Taking
Process Flows
Review
Observe
Notes
Record
Lecture notes
Observe
1. Complete outside assignments
2. Be aware of the lecturer’s body
language and facial expressions
Observe
3. Ask questions if allowed
4. Be aware of what and how the
lecturer emphasizes material
5. Listen for introductory, concluding
and transition words/phrases
Record
• Cornell Format
• Outline Format
• Paragraph Format
• Mind Maps
Record
• Create mind maps
– Mind maps are visual patterns that
provide a framework for recall
– They work on both verbal and nonverbal
levels
– Creating a mind map helps you think
from general to specific
Record
• Create mind maps
Set the stage
Observe
Review
Be here now
Note taking
Watch for
clues
Record
Record
• Create mind maps
– Give yourself plenty of room
– Determine the main concept
of the lecture
– Use key words only
– Jazz it up
– Create links
– Combine formats
Record
• Use pictures and diagrams
Lungs
Tips for recording
• Copy material from the board
• Use a three-ring binder
• Use only one side of a sheet of paper
• Use a “lost” signal
Tips for recording
• Label, number and date all notes
• Use standard abbreviations
• Use complete sentences when
material is important
• Use tape recorders effectively and
only with permission
Review
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•
•
•
•
Review within 24 hours
Edit notes
Fill in key words in left hand column
Use key words as cues to recite
Conduct short weekly review sessions
Create Your Instructor
•
•
•
•
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Research the instructor
Show interest in class
Take responsibility for your attitude
Get to know the instructor better
Open up to diversity
Create Your Instructor
• Separate liking from learning
• Form your own opinion about each
instructor
• Seek alternatives
• Avoid excuses
• Submit professional work
Review Notes
• Review notes look like the notes
you take in class
• Use left column for key words
and questions
• Mind map summaries are useful
for textbook reading
• You can also outline textbook material
or take paragraph-style notes
Research Notes
• Use 3x5 cards
• Source cards
• Information cards
Power Process:
“I Create It All”
• Move from victim to victor
• Don’t practice resignation:
Take “response-ability”
• Ask: How did I contribute to this
outcome?
“I Create It All” Means
• Choosing your responses
• Choosing your thoughts
• Choosing your behaviors
Power Process:
“I Create It All”
• Some cautions
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–
–
–
–
Don’t blame (yourself or others)
Don’t apply it to other people
Don’t feel guilty
It’s not a religion
It’s not always about disasters:
credit yourself for your success
Master Student
Oprah Winfrey
“There is one irrefutable law of the
universe: We are each responsible for
our own life—no other person is or
even can be.…
If you’re holding someone else
accountable for your happiness,
you’re wasting time.”
References
Reference: Ellis, D. (2003) Becoming a master
student (10th ed) Rapid City, SD. Haughton
Mifflin
Reference: Ellis, D. (1994) Becoming a master
student (7th ed) Rapid City, SD. Haughton
Mifflin