TAKING AND STUDYING
CLASSROOM NOTES
Take effective classroom notes
Study and remember your notes
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
1. Get down a complete and written
record of each class.
 when in doubt, write it down
 the more complete your notes, the
more likely you are to master the
material
 writing too much, rather than too
little, may mean the difference
between passing and failing
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
2. Sit where the teacher can see you,
preferably near the front of the room.
 your position will help you stay tuned to
what is happening in class
 check your attitude: are you hiding to
avoid being called on, or are you out of
sight because you don’t really want to
be there?
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
3. Read in advance.
 by doing advance reading, you will be
able to listen and take notes more
easily and with greater understanding
 this becomes even more important
when the subject is a difficult one for
you
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
4. Record notes like this:
 Use 8½ x 11 paper
 Keep notes from each course/subject in a
separate loose-leaf notebook
 Date each day’s notes
 Take notes on only one side of the paper
 Write legibly
 Abbreviate recurring terms
 Circle exam dates and enter a large “A” for
assignment in the margin
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
5. Try to write down notes in outline
form.
 Main points
– Secondary points
– Supporting details
• Subordinate details (such as examples)
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
6. Watch for signs of importance.
Write down:
 what your teacher writes on the board
 definitions or lists
 what the teacher emphasizes
 repeated points
 points emphasized by voice cues
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
7. Write down any examples the teacher
provides
 Mark these with “ex”
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
8. Record details that connect or explain
main points.
 Bridges between key ideas help you
remember the relationship
 Record explanations for formulas or
numerical problems
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
9. Leave blank spaces for items or ideas
you miss.
 Ask another student or your teacher to
fill in the gaps right after class
 If you fall behind in taking notes, try to
get down at least the main idea
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
10. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you
become confused.
 Others are likely to have the same
questions
 Teachers look favorably on students
who show interest and curiosity
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
11. Keep taking notes during discussion.
 Valuable ideas may come up that are
not presented formally by the teacher
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
12. Keep taking notes at the end of the
class.
 Teachers may cram important points
into the last minutes of class
 Prepare to write rapidly
 Resist fatigue and daydreaming
13 HINTS FOR TAKING
CLASSROOM NOTES
13. Review your notes.
 As soon as possible after class
 Finish incomplete sentences/ideas
 Write out abbreviations
 Mark important ideas, lists, definitions
 Improve the organization to accent
main ideas and supporting points
STUDYING CLASS NOTES
Review within 24 hours.
 Forgetting begins immediately
 A few minutes now gives you more
learning for less time and effort
STUDYING CLASS NOTES
Use the margin space.
 Jot down key words or phrases that will
help you recall the main ideas
STUDYING CLASS NOTES
Turn the margin words into questions.
 Test yourself on the material
 Test on each new question and repeat
the previous questions until you have
them memorized
PRACTICE TAKING NOTES
Lecture about listening.
1. What is the listening problem that many
people have?
2. What are common talking and listening
speeds?
3. What are 3 techniques to help you pay
attention when someone else is talking?
4. What is the most important step you can
take to become a better listener?