Taking Lecture Notes

Effective note-taking is not recording or transcribing. It is an active part of the learning process that requires you to quickly digest the lecture material and write down the key elements in a style which suits your learning technique. After properly preparing for the lecture, optimize you process for taking notes. These steps, along with prompt revision and reorganization, you can become a better note-taker lecture.

1. Preparing for the Lecture

Complete notes before the lecture begin. Teachers assign notes so that you will be familiar with the topic being discussed in class. If you do the assigned notes before class, you will already know many of the background details. Then you can focus your note-taking on key concepts. Read through your notes from the previous lecture before class as well. This will help you get back up to speed on where you last left off in the class. 

   

2.     Consider the Pros and Cons of Typing Notes During a Lecture

Many students are more comfortable typing and writing, but there are still reason to consider the tried-and-true method of putting pen to paper. Some studies indicate that students who hand-write notes are more able to comprehend and recall the lecture materials than those who type. This is when where you try to type everything said instead of actively discerning what is most important to write down. Writing things down by hand can help you achieve greater focus. 

• On the other hand, using a laptop or other electronic device makes it easier to format, save, edit, share, and read notes (with no worries about messy handwriting).
• Note-taking aids available on laptops are nearly endless, such as: “notebook layout” formatting on Microsoft Word, etc.; software that connects a recording of the lecture to your notes; note organization programs that let you unite materials of various type and formats, such as emails and PDFs; and collaborative note-taking platforms that allow you to team up with others to take notes in real time. These may be lifesavers or distractions for you. Only you can judge what works best.
• Some instructors and institutions ban the use of laptops in class, so don’t discount the need to know how to write notes by hand.

3.     Sit Near the Front of the Room

Choose a spot in the class where you will have few distractions. The you will be able to focus better and take better notes. Find a spot which you can see and hear the lecture clearly. You must also be able to see the board properly. Show up to class a little early to ensure you can pick your best spot.

• If you find yourself distracted by noisy fellow students, an air conditioning vent, or an unfortunate glare on the projector screen, discreetly move to a new seat if you can do so without causing a significant disruption. Otherwise, do your best this time and find a new spot for the next time.
• Sitting in front can help you to be more focus in class.
• People who sits in front of the classroom tend to get more information from the lecture

4.     Label your Paper with the Date and Topic of the Lecture

Make sure your notes are clearly labelled for future reference. Write the date of the lecture and the topic at the top of each page.

• If you have multiple pages of notes, include page numbers as well. This will help you keep your notes in order.
• Divide your notes based on your subjects
• Customize your notes nicely so that you will be more encourage to do more notes
• And do not place your notes everywhere. Keep them properly !

5.     Abbreviations

*Useful Abbreviations :-

!!   – important

??  – not clear

 →  – cause / link

+ or &   – and

@  – at

N   – noun

S   – subject

O  – object

V  – verb 

Adj  – adjective

Adv  – adverb

ex  – example

pg  – page

6.     Note-taking Using Cornell Method

Cornell method is a systematic format for a proper and organizing notes. It divided into two columns, the note taking column on the right side and is two times the size of the questions/keyword column which is on the left side.

*Here is the example of note-taking using Cornell Method

Note-taking is very important in a learning process as it ease the students to read a proper notes. This will help them to memorize it easily. So do enjoy your notes !