Taking good notes is not just recording or copying. Taking notes while taking lessons is one activity that requires the ability to quickly understand the material being explained and write down important things according to one's learning style. In addition to preparing well before attending lectures, you also need to improve your note-taking skills. Read this article so that you can take good notes on lectures, make quick revisions, and take notes with a certain method.
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Part 1 of 4: Preparing Before Going to College
Step 1. Complete the reading assignment before class
The lecturer will ask you to read the lecture material that will be discussed so that you are better prepared to follow the lesson and have an overview of the material to be explained. This way, you can focus more on writing down important concepts during your lectures.
Also read the notes from previous lectures so that you can recall the material discussed in the previous lecture
Step 2. Search the internet for course materials and outlines
If the lecturer has provided an outline of the lecture material, a PowerPoint slide, or a summary of the material that will be discussed in the next lecture, take advantage of it carefully. Imagine that you are building the frame of a house to be built and complete the furniture by taking notes.
You may prefer to print out an outline of the course material or slides that have been provided so that you only need to add new information on the printed sheet and don't have to take notes during the lecture. However, taking notes makes you better understand all the information being taught. This goal can be achieved if you use the material as a basis for taking notes
Step 3. Consider the pros and cons of taking notes by typing while attending lectures
Many students are more accustomed to typing than writing by hand. However, there are reasons you should consider the pros and cons of handwriting. Several studies show that students who take notes by hand are easier to understand and remember lecture material than those who type because they usually just copy word by word on laptops. As a result, they will type everything that is delivered by the lecturer without trying to select important information that needs to be recorded. You will be more focused if you take notes on lecture material by writing.
- On the other hand, taking notes using a laptop gives you the convenience of formatting, saving, editing, sending, and reading notes. You also don't have to worry about messy handwriting.
- There are many facilities on a laptop that you can use to take notes, for example, Microsoft Word documents with templates in certain formats that are ready for you to use, software for recording lecture materials that are connected to a laptop, document processing programs that can combine several documents with different types and formats. (e.g. email and PDF), or interconnected hardware so you can take notes at the same time as your teammates. These facilities may be helpful, but they can also hinder. You know best which facilities are the most useful.
- Some lecturers and educational institutions forbid the use of laptops during lectures. So don't overlook the need to learn how to take notes by hand.
Step 4. Sit on the front bench
Find a seat that is free of distractions so you can pay close attention and take notes, look at the blackboard and lecturers who are teaching, and hear the lecture material well. Come early so you can choose the most appropriate seat.
If you're distracted by a chattering friend, a blast of air from the air conditioner, or a glare from the projector screen, it's a good idea to change seats quietly, if conditions allow. If not, do your best for now and next time, find the right seat
Step 5. Prepare the equipment you need to take notes
If you take notes by writing, bring a few pens or pencils and enough paper. If you use a laptop or other electronic device, don't forget to charge it first so it's ready to use from the start of class.
Many students prefer to use sheet paper so that they can be arranged on the table or on the floor while studying, but there are also those who prefer to take notes with a notebook to make it more tidy
Step 6. Write the date and topic of the lecture on the notebook
Get in the habit of writing labels at the top of the notebook, such as class dates and topics to be discussed for reference.
If your notebook has multiple sheets, write down the page numbers so you can sort them out
Step 7. Determine the note format that works for you
Neat notes make it easier for you to understand, revise, and learn. One format you can use is to outline the course material, especially if the material is structured and/or presented in a certain way. In this format, you need to write the title of the material followed by some information that is recorded in sequence in several points. For each point, you can write some additional information using subpoints. This method is easier than recording each piece of information as a new point.
Be prepared when taking notes because lecture material is not necessarily explained point by point in sequence, both when discussing main information and additional information. You have to tidy up your notes again after school
Part 2 of 4: Improving Note-taking Skills
Step 1. Remember that taking notes is different from simply copying lecture material
You must listen actively in order to take good notes. Instead of just writing word for word, you should try to understand the material being explained and determine what information you need to record.
- For example, instead of spending time chronicling every foreign policy decision by Theodore Roosevelt, try to understand the basic concepts of all foreign policies that have been implemented and select a few examples that support it. Thus, you have started the process of learning and understanding or in other words doing studies.
- The importance of active involvement is the reason for the refusal of experts to record material explanations during lectures.,
- If you must record lecture material or have a valid reason, ask the lecturer for permission to record. Lecture material is the intellectual property of the teaching lecturer. In addition, several educational institutions have their own policies regarding recording.
Step 2. Listen carefully to the introduction at the beginning of the lecture
Don't delay taking notes. You should be ready to take notes as soon as class begins.
- Lectures are usually opened by providing an explicit description or at least implicit direction on the material to be discussed. From the start of class, make an effort to listen carefully to the introduction for clues that can help you take good notes and pinpoint the most important information.
- Do not pay attention to students who arrive late or are not ready to take notes.
Step 3. Write down everything written on the board
Every lecturer has prepared lecture material by making an outline, even though it is only implicit and still difficult to understand. The information displayed in the slides can be used as a guide for taking good notes.
Step 4. Try to recognize the cues and hints your teacher gives you
When teaching, lecturers usually use certain voice intonation, hand position, and other signs to emphasize important information. Start by observing the lecturer's speaking habits and movements so you can pick up on important information.
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Understand the main idea of the material being explained by recognizing certain cues through words and phrases that indicate the importance of certain information that you need to know. Lecturers usually will not say directly when he conveys a new idea or gives an important example, but he will give certain signals as a hint. Any good speaker will do just that and you also need to recognize signals like these. For example:
- There are three reasons…
- First second Third…
- This is considered important because…
- The impact of this is…
- Therefore, we will see…
- Learn to recognize other cues. When explaining important points, the lecturer will speak slower or louder, repeat certain words or phrases, stop talking for a while before continuing to teach (maybe he will drink), move his hands more enthusiastically, stop walking and/or stare at his students directly. intense, etc.
Step 5. Decide how to abbreviate notes
Abbreviations are a quick way of taking notes so you don't have to write every word. Taking notes faster is an important skill that you can use when listening to lectures. However, don't take notes with abbreviations like shorthand because you'll have to copy a lot later. Instead, develop quick writing by creating your own abbreviations, symbols, sketches, etc. Others may not know what you wrote, but you yourself know what it means.
- Use abbreviations and skip unnecessary words so you can take notes efficiently. You only need to note down important words that can help you capture the idea of the point you want to convey. You don't need to write the words "is" and "a" that don't provide an explanation. Make abbreviations so that you can write faster, for example, draw arrows that mean increase/decrease or to show cause-and-effect relationships and shorten words that are repeated over and over, such as HI for the abbreviation of “international relations”.
- Paraphrase as much information as possible except for formulas and definitions or specific facts that you have to explain word for word on the exam.
- Underline, circle, asterisk, color, or caption important examples, definitions, and other important material. Create your own code as a marker to distinguish information by type.
- Draw up diagrams or drawings for concepts that are difficult for you to describe or understand. For example, draw a pie chart to show the approximate power of each political party in the general election, instead of writing down all the data in detail.
Step 6. Get in the habit of writing correctly
Write each letter and word correctly with normal spacing for easy reading. You will be annoyed if you have trouble reading your own handwriting, especially when you have to study for a biology exam.
Step 7. Leave a space in the notebook
Don't fill the notepad too much. Prepare a blank section on each page so you can later use it to write revisions and annotations. In addition, you will find it easier to read and understand information while studying.
Step 8. Pay attention to the last part of the explanation of the lecture material
You tend to easily daydream when college is about to end. There are students who start to tidy up their equipment and start whispering with friends about the lunch menu. However, the conclusion of the course material is just as important as the introductory section which provides an overview, themes, and important concepts.
Pay close attention if the lecturer delivers a summary at the end of the lecture. You can take this opportunity to check the records. If it seems incomplete, jot down the main points in the summary as material for revising your notes later
Step 9. Ask questions
During the lecture and at the end of the lesson, ask questions if you don't understand things. If there are other students who ask, record the questions and answers from the lecturer. This additional information can answer any questions you may want to ask.
- If you feel reluctant to postpone the class because you still want to ask questions (and upset your friends by wanting to leave class immediately), ask questions after class. Usually there are other students who want to ask questions and you can listen too.
- Prepare a list of questions to ask during office hours when your professor is not teaching.
Part 3 of 4: Tidying Up Notes
Step 1. Read your notes again as soon as possible
Get in the habit of reading notes within 24 hours of finishing class. If not, maybe 80% of the material explained during the lecture you have forgotten. Reread the material you just explained so you don't have to start learning again.
Step 2. Make revisions, don't just copy notes
Use class notes as drafts and revise to create edited notes. Take notes with the new version. This is especially helpful if your notes are sloppy, unorganized, or have sloppy margins. Don't just copy notes you take in class. This time, take notes by revising.
- Use the clues you get about the structure and main concepts of the material being explained to reorganize the content of your notes.
- Complete the missing material with information from the textbook.
Step 3. Mark the important course materials
When tidying up notes, take the time to mark or underline important information. Use colored markers or ballpoint pens to mark concepts that are mentioned over and over again. Marked notes will be very useful if you have to study for an exam. This will make it quicker and easier for you to recall any important material that has been explained.
Step 4. Complete notes if you are absent from college
If you are forced to miss college because of illness or other reasons, try to get lecture materials from classmates. Ask for an explanation from the lecturer so that you can understand the material being taught.
- Don't rely on records being sold. Many universities prohibit the sale of records. By buying notes, you are missing out on active learning opportunities that can improve understanding and help you remember lessons.
- Students with physical disabilities or difficulty taking notes can discuss this with their supervisor or student services department on campus. There are various options available, such as an accompanying guide during lectures, an assistant taking notes, getting permission to record, or studying with a tutor.
Part 4 of 4: Taking Notes with the Cornell Method
Step 1. Divide the notepad into three parts
Taking notes with the Cornell method is done by writing information and then making questions on the notes. Divide the paper into two parts by drawing a vertical line 5 cm from the left margin. Draw a line from the top edge of the paper down and leave 5 cm from the bottom edge of the paper. After that, draw a horizontal line 5 cm from the bottom edge of the paper.
Laptop users can take notes using the Cornell method using the Word program that provides the template
Step 2. Write down the main idea explained in the lecture
Start writing the main idea of the lecture material in the largest box. Leave enough space to write the revision.
Also write examples, diagrams, charts, and other material discussed by the lecturer
Step 3. Ask yourself questions after finishing the lecture
The left-hand box is used to record your questions about the course material to clarify information, definitions, etc. Reread your notes in a day or two to strengthen your memory.
- Ask questions that might appear on the test. Think about what your professor will ask you on the exam.
- When studying notes for an exam, close the box to the right of your notes and try to answer the questions you wrote in the box to the left.
Step 4. Make a summary of the lecture notes at the bottom of the paper
Use the boxes at the bottom to summarize notes so that it's easier for you to recall important information that's already been noted.
Tips
- If you miss class, write this absence information in a note so you don't forget it. This way, you'll be trying to get notes from your classmates, instead of missing out on the entire course.
- Be nice. Listening well means paying close attention. Open your mind when listening to the lecturer's explanation, even if you don't agree.
- Keep notes for specific courses in one place, using separate notebooks, or in specific sections of notebooks. Organize your notes by date and title. Consider taking notes using a sheet of paper and a regular notebook so you can keep your notes tidy when you have to study for exams.
