How to Take
Notes in Class
Presented by:
Riverside City College
Counseling Department
Note-Taking
Process
• One way to understand note-taking is to
realize that taking notes is the least
important part of the process.
• Effective note-taking consists of 3 parts:
–Observing
–Recording
–Reviewing
Note-Taking
Process
• Observing- You observe an event.
(Lecture)
• Recording- You record your observation
(Take Notes)
• Reviewing- Review what you recorded.
(Study)
Observe
• Set the stage
– Complete outside assignments
– Bring the right materials
– Sit front and center
– Conduct a short pre-class review
Observe
• Accept your wondering mind.
• Notice your environment.
• Let go of judgments.
• Participate in class activities.
• Relate class to your goals.
• Think critically about what you hear.
Observe
• Watch for clues
– Be alert to repetition
– Listen for introductory, concluding,
and transition words and phrases
– Watch the board or overhead
projector
– Highlight the obvious clues
– Notice the instructor’s interest level
Record
• The format & structure of your notes
are more important than how fast you
write or how elegant your handwriting is.
• The following techniques can improve
the effectiveness of your notes.
Cornell Format
• On each page of your notes, draw a vertical
line, top to bottom, 1 ½ inches from the left
edge of the paper.
• Write your notes to the right of the line.
• Reserve the area (cue column) on the left of
the line for key words, clues, and sample
questions.
• Fill in the left hand column when you review
your notes.
• Write a summary.
Create Mind Maps
• Mind maps are visual patterns that
provide a framework for recall.
• They work on both verbal & nonverbal
levels (Left/Right Brain functions).
• Creating a mind map helps you think
from general to specific.
Mind Maps
Benefits
• Quickly shows relationships between
ideas.
• Review more quickly by looking at key
words (pictures) than by reading notes
word for word.
• As you build a mind map on paper, you’re
also constructing a map in your mind.
When you are finished the picture of
the map enters your memory.
Mind Maps
Suggestions
– Give yourself plenty of room
– Determine the main concept of the
lecture
– Use key words only
– Jazz it up
– Create links
– Combine formats
Outline
• Shows relationship between major
points and supporting ideas.
• First level of headings are the major
topics.
• Second level of headings record key
points that relate to each major topic.
• Third level of headings record specific
facts and details that support/explain
second level.
Combining
Formats
• Do what works for you.
• Combine formats (Cornell & Mind Maps)
• Draw a line down the center of the page
and using the left-hand side for mind
mapping and the right hand side for
more linear information, such as outlines
and paragraphs.
Record
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•
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•
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Copy material from the board
Use a three-ring binder
Use only one side of the paper
Use 3 X 5 cards
Label, number, and date all notes
Use standard abbreviations
Leave blank space
Record
• Use standard abbreviations
• One way to abbreviate is to leave out
vowels. (Ex: talk=tlk, said=sd)
• Write out abbreviated terms during
pauses in lecture, when the meaning of
your shorthand is still fresh in your
short-term memory.
Review
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•
•
•
•
•
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Review within 24 hours
Edit notes
Fill in key words in left-hand column
Use your key words as cues to recite
Conduct short weekly review periods
Consider typing up your notes
Create mind map summaries
Handout:
Sample Cornell
Sample Cornell Note Taking Paper
______________
Date:
Page#:
REDUCE:
Key words/phrases here
RECORD:
Lecture notes here.
RECAPITULATE (SUMMARY)
Sample
Mind Maps
Network Tree
Fishbone Map
Spider Map