helpful note-taking tips for college
TRANSCRIPT
Helpful
Note-Taking
Tips for College
Academic Skills Center
Austin College
Note Taking Self – Assessment
READ ASSIGNMENT BEFORE CLASS
Note taking is easier when you have an
understanding of the material
It’s worth taking note if mentioned in
reading and in class
GET ORGANIZED
Begin each lecture on a new page
Put the date on each new lecture
Add topic headings
Organize disorganized lectures
LEAVE SPACE
Leave space around notes to insert info later
For when you don’t understand/didn’t get it
Review and reorganize notes
Insert additions
Add connections made during class
THINK WHILE WRITING
Don’t transcribe
Think about…
- What is important?
- What relates to the reading?
- What cues do you pick up?
ASK QUESTIONS
Write your questions as you write
Highlight gaps in understanding
Focus on questions when reviewing notes
Covert info into prospective test questions
DEVELOP A SYSTEM
Cornell
Outlining
Mind Mapping
Charts / Graphs
Paragraphs
REVIEW AFTER CLASS
Leave space on page to summarize notes
Add details and connect material
This will help you remember and explain it
Get with classmates to review notes
NOTE
SHARE
The
CORNELLNote Taking Method
• Neatly organize & summarize
• Easy to Review
• Let’s you pull out major ideas
and concepts
• Effective because it organizes
notes into easily digestible
summaries
• Best for understanding Key
Ideas & Relationships
The
MAPPINGMethod
• Visual learners who struggle with
studying from traditional notes
• Helps you remember and
connect relationships between
topics
• Visual way to organize notes,
especially when learning
relationships between topics
The
OUTLININGMethod
• Can organize notes easily
• Allows easy view of relationships
between topics and subtopics
• Makes it easy to turn points into
study questions
• Organized by headings or bullets
• Most useful when learning about
topics with lots of details
The
Visual Method
• Some minds think in Pictures
• Text / Images / Structures
• Multi-modal in processing
information (hearing and
seeing)
• Enhances/builds more
associations and relationships
with information
The
CHARTINGMethod
• Facts are organized by category
and easy to review
• Key pieces of information are
highlighted for each topics
• Useful for lessons that cover a lot
of facts or relationships between
topics
The
SENTENCEMethod
• Jotting down main points helps
you determine what’s important
and what’s note
• You can cover a lot of details
and information quickly
• Simplify notes for study & review
• Each topics is a new line
• Works well for fast paced
lectures and much information
References
Gardner, J.N. & Jewler, A.J. (Eds.) (2005). Your College Experience: Strategies for Success.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
How to take Study Notes (2017, May 3). Retrieved from https://www.oxfordlearning.com/5-
effective-note-taking-methods/
Sketcho Frenzy: The Basics of Visual Notetaking (2012, Jan 2.) Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY9KdRfNN9w