Notes are very practical to be used as personal references and memorization aids. Ideally, the information in the textbook will review and complement what you learn in class. However, some teachers will not cover all the material in the book by explaining it directly in front of the class and expect you to learn the rest on your own. Therefore, it is important for you to be able to read effectively, understand what you are reading, and take notes from the textbook.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Previewing the Chapters in the Book
Step 1. Find out which section you should read
Check any syllabus, calendar, or notes from class that instruct you to read one or more sections of the textbook. Ideally, you should spend at least 5 minutes reading each assigned textbook page. If you are a slow reader, you may need to add extra time to reading.
Step 2. Read the chapter titles and subtitles first
Before you start reading or taking notes, look at the chapter in question. Most textbooks are broken down into sections that are easier to digest and often have headings at the top. Viewing chapters and reading headings and subtitles from start to finish can give you an estimate of how long the chapter is and where it's headed. You can also catch keywords as you read if you see them in bold in subtitles elsewhere in the chapter.
- Also, look for words in bold. These words are often important concepts or vocabulary defined in chapters or in glossary.
- If the textbook does not have a title or subtitle, read the first sentence of each paragraph.
Step 3. Look at the diagrams, graphs or diagrams of additional information
Many students ignore or skip information in boxes or diagrams in chapters. However, this is not a smart move. That information is often the key to understanding or reviewing the chapter's main concepts. Researching additional material (and reading descriptions under pictures or diagrams) can help you focus on the main information as you read.
Step 4. Read the “review questions” at the end of the chapter or section
Review questions are given to ensure students have understood the “big picture” or important concept of the selected text. Reading these review questions first can help focus attention on the most important aspects of the chapter.
Part 2 of 5: Reading to Understand
Step 1. Avoid things that can distract
Active reading without loud noises or distractions around can make it easier for you to focus and remember the information you are learning. It's important to be free from distractions if you're learning new material or reading about a complex concept. Find a quiet and comfortable place, and start reading and studying.
Step 2. Break the text you have to read into easy-to-handle sections
If you have to read a 30-page chapter, you should try to break it down into smaller, more focused sections. The length of the section depends on your attention span. Some people suggest breaking up your reading into 10-page sections, but if you're having trouble focusing and understanding large amounts of text, it's a good idea to break up the text into 5-page sections instead. The chapter itself can be divided into sections that are easier to handle.
Step 3. Read actively
It's easy to passively read something you find complicated or uninteresting. Passive reading occurs when your eyes are on each word, but the information you read can't be remembered or you can't understand what you're reading. For active reading, try to think as you read. This means that you should try to summarize ideas, relate them to other concepts you understand, or ask yourself questions or the text you are reading as you read them.
For active reading, try not to note or highlight certain passages the first time you read that part of the text. Instead, focus on reading with the aim of understanding what is being read
Step 4. Use tools to aid your understanding
Make sure you understand the text as you read it. You may need a dictionary or glossary or index to define unfamiliar words. When you get to the note-taking stage, write down the new key words that are important in the chapter along with the page numbers where you found those terms and definitions. That way, you can easily refer back to the textbook if needed.
Step 5. Summarize the main points as you read
After reading each section of the text (whether it's a section you broke yourself or the textbook itself broke), think about the main points. Try to summarize the passage you have just read and identify one to three of the most important details in the passage.
Step 6. Don't skip extra material
You're more likely to see additional material such as pictures, diagrams, and graphs as you review the chapter. If not, make sure you read it when you reach that section while reading it. Examining these details in context will help you piece together the information.
Additional material like this will be very helpful especially for students who tend to learn visually. When trying to remember information, you may be able to imagine what a diagram or graph would look like more easily than remembering a piece of factual information
Part 3 of 5: Taking Notes
Step 1. Adopt a selective, but thorough attitude
You do not need to write down every detail of the information contained in the book. You also don't have to write down a single page-long fact. Finding a balance between writing moderately and not too much can be difficult, but it is the key to effective note-taking. Using a strategy of reading paragraphs and then summarizing them can help you get the right amount of information.
Writing 1-2 summary sentences for each paragraph may be considered a good comparison for the information to note. Of course it also depends on the subject and the difficulty level of the textbook
Step 2. Retell the information you got from the book in a different wording
You must write notes in your own words. Rephrasing information in a different way usually shows that you really understand what you read (it can be difficult to write something in your own words if you don't understand what it means). It will be easier to understand the information later when you want to review it if you write it down in your own words.
Step 3. Use the format that works for you
You may prefer a bulleted list format. It may be easier for you to create a chronology of events so you can see the order in which things happened rather than just a list of events. You might choose to draw a flowchart to emphasize sequence. Or, you may be more comfortable creating a traditional outline format with the big idea at one level and the supporting idea below in an indented format. In the end, notes are made to help you study, so you should write them in the way that works best for you.
Step 4. Add a visual element if you find it helpful
Visual learners are often helped by visual representations in notes. You can copy the graph in brief, instead of writing down information about the graph. You might choose to draw simple comic strips to show certain events or interactions between people. However, don't get too busy adding visual elements that you forget the original goal, which is to understand and record information from the text you read. Add visual elements to help you put together or remember material more effectively.
Step 5. Organize notes in an easy-to-understand way
You may want to organize your notes in a certain way, by subject. Historical records may be easier to understand if they are made in chronological order (or perhaps in a time frame format). Science notes may be better if made in a certain order that shows mastery of a concept before moving on to the next concept.
If you are confused about how to organize your notes, just follow the way of organizing that is applied by the textbook. If information is created in a certain order in the textbook, there is usually a specific reason for it
Part 4 of 5: Connecting Notes to Classroom Lessons
Step 1. Pay attention to the explanation of the lecturer / teacher in the class
Teachers often indicate the chapter or section of the textbook that is most relevant to the upcoming exam. Knowing this information before reading the textbook can save time and energy, and allow you to focus on the most important things to understand.
- Copy whatever the teacher wrote on the board. This information is most likely relevant for future discussions and assignments or exams.
- Ask the lecturer/teacher if he or she will allow you to record lectures to listen back to at home. Anything you missed while taking notes in class can be heard on the recording, and you add that information to your notes after class.
Step 2. Learn shorthand
It may be difficult to write notes as fast as the teacher says. Studying shorthand can be a powerful way to make sure your notes in class cover everything you need to know.
- Record important names, places, dates, events and concepts. If you record this information in your notebook, it may be easier to remember specific things related to that person or place when you reread the textbook.
- Write out brief contextual clues for each main topic. You can write a few words or even a short sentence for that purpose. Having short notes will help you understand the names or dates you wrote down during class.
Step 3. Review the notes you took in class
Once you have notes taken during class, you will need to review them to begin studying the important topics covered in class.
Take time to reread notes after class. Reading the notes immediately after class is likely to help you remember the information for a longer period of time
Step 4. Combine notes made in class with notes summarized from the textbook
If you have both types of records, combine them and compare them. You will be able to recognize the important points emphasized either in the textbook or by the teacher. This is most likely a very important concept.
Part 5 of 5: Using Notes
Step 1. Study your notes
Think of your notes as a study guide for exams. Writing alone can help you remember certain things, but you may not be able to remember everything in your textbook if you don't study your notes. Reviewing your notes can help you remember certain key concepts and terms, even months after you've learned the information.
Step 2. Share your notes
If you're working with other students in the class, you may want to exchange or share notes. This can be a profitable strategy because different students can focus or emphasize different concepts. Also, if you have friends or classmates who can't make it to class or don't understand a concept, you can share notes to help them out.
Step 3. Make a study card (flashcard)
If you have an exam in the near future, you can turn your notes into study cards. This step will make it easier for you to learn and remember names, dates, and definitions. In addition, you can use these study cards to work together and study with other students and study groups, which will improve your ability to do exam questions.
Tips
- Manage your time. You can feel overwhelmed with all that you have to learn, but if you keep good notes and manage your time well, you will feel confident in handling them.
- Write the date and title on the notes to help you organize yourself. You may need to number the notes pages if you are creating them on separate sheets or if you plan to remove them from your notebook.
- Use guide items. Don't assume that you have to write complete sentences, just write down the important information. This will help when you have to go back over your notes and study them because you won't be swamped with text.
- Learn what study habits work best for you. Whether you're a more active person in the morning or at night, sticking to a consistent schedule of reading, taking notes, and reviewing notes will help you focus on your study goals.
- Try to keep your concentration awake. Relax, stretch and don't forget to take a break after a while.
- Make one or two summary points for each paragraph, then use that summary to summarize the entire section/chapter.
- If you don't understand the text you are reading, ask the teacher and use different words so you can understand it.
- If allowed, use color. The brain is attracted to colors and this will help you memorize the chapters you need to study in the textbook.
