TIPS
STUDENT
SUCCESS
GUIDE
»» Fill in your notes after class with any
other details you remember. Rewrite
sections that are hard to read, and
include definitions for unfamiliar words.
»» Read all assigned readings before
class. The more you understand before
class, the more comfortable and easy
note-taking will be.
»» Speak up in class. It is to your benefit
to get all of your questions answered
while you are with the professor.
»» Exchange contact information with
two other people in class. This will
make it easier to get notes if you ever
have to miss class.
»» Visit the Academic Learning Center
(located in the ITTC, room 008) for tips
on how to study more efficiently.
“TAKING GOOD, FOCUSED
NOTES MAKES STUDYING
FOR TESTS SO MUCH
EASIER. I LOVE BEING
ABLE TO UNDERSTAND
MY NOTES AND HAVE A
BUILT-IN STUDY GUIDE,
THANKS TO QUIZ NOTES.”
—A SENIOR’S TESTIMONY
ACADEMIC ADVISING
GIL 102
uni.edu/advising
(319) 273-3406
ACADEMIC LEARNING CENTER
ITTC 007/008
uni.edu/unialc
(319) 273-6023
NOTETAKING
LET US HELP YOU PREPARE
“THE WEAKEST INK
IS STRONGER THAN THE
STRONGEST MEMORY.”
—CHINESE PROVERB
QUIZ NOTES
Quiz notes are an easy way to focus on
the main ideas and create a study guide
simultaneously.
Fold your paper so you have a crease
separating the left third of the paper from
the right 2/3 of the paper. The crease is the
line you see between Sections B and C.
BEFORE CLASS:
» Read all required materials.
» Print any visuals, graphics, slides, etc.
» Bring all materials: pens, notebooks,
textbooks, etc.
» Sit near the front of the classroom, or close
to the middle.
A
B
AFTER 2 WEEKS,
WE TEND TO
REMEMBER ONLY
20% OF WHAT WE
HEAR AND 30% OF
WHAT WE SEE.
TAKE QUICKER NOTES
C
DURING CLASS:
» Take notes in an outline form.
» Don’t write every word the professor says
Use symbols during class to write quicker
Here are some examples:
=, +, -, <, >, w/o, w/, b/c, -->, etc.
Be sure you know what they mean!
in your notes.
» Focus on things the professor repeats,
TEMPLATE GUIDE:
Section A: Date and title your notes here
to stay organized.
Section B: List the main ideas from the
lecture or textbook.
louder or slower speech, and phrases such
as the main point.
» Don’t let yourself become distracted.
» Ask questions if you don’t understand.
The purpose of folding the paper is to
cover up the main ideas. Seeing if you
can answer the question without using
your notes is a good way to test your
memory and understanding.
» Think critically about which notetaking style you prefer: Notebook,
laptop, or tablet.
» How do you currently organize your
notes? Does it work for you?
» How can you adjust your note-taking
skills to improve your efficiency?
Section C: Write notes that support the
ideas recorded in section B.
After class, review your notes. By
re-folding your paper along the line
between Sections B and C, you can write
test questions on the empty flap about the
main ideas you included in Section B.
DIGITAL NOTES
AFTER CLASS:
» Review your notes within 24 hours.
» Rewrite things you don’t understand.
» Compare your lecture notes with your
textbook notes.
» Meet with the professor if you are confused
or concerned.
» Where are you going to take notes
on your device? (App, Word, Google
Drive, etc.)
» How will you organize the notes on
your device?
» Pick one form of notes per class and
stick with it.
» If you prefer using a device, make
sure you have permission from your
professor to utilize it during class.