• Don't write down everything that you read or hear. Be alert and attentive to the main points.
• Notes should consist of key words or very short sentences.
• Take accurate notes. You should usually use your own words, but try not to change the meaning.
• Leave lots of white space for later additions.
• Keep your notes short and to the point. Condense your material so you can grasp it rapidly.
• Don't worry too much about missing a point but look to fill gaps upon review.
• Keep notes in order and in one place. Date and put page numbers on each page!
• Shortly after making your notes, go back and rework (not redo) your notes by adding extra points and spelling out unclear items. Write questions that you want to ask the next day.
• Review your notes regularly. This is the only way to achieve lasting memory.

TEXTBOOK NOTE TAKING

• Read a paragraph or two at a time.
• Identify and restate briefly in your own words the major theme or controlling idea.
• Label each heading and subheading to be used in conjunction with an outline system of note taking.
• Underlining is the least helpful, highlighting for that matter is too!
• summarize in the bottom margin the significant ideas on that page.
• Review notes immediately after completing the reading.

Outline Method

Before class

• Read text
• Read often and for short periods
• Use the SQ3R method:
• Survey the text
• Ask yourself questions
• Read and find answers
• Recite -to test your understanding
• Review –until you understand and remember it

Paragraph Method

The organization of notes is very important regardless of the method you use. Organization is what makes notes easy to look through again later. You need to be able to understand what you wrote.

Cornell Method

1. Mark paper into three sections. Two vertical columns (one of them 1/3 the width of the page, the other two-thirds) and one full-width space at the bottom of the page.
2. The right-hand column is the note taking area, for recoding the information. Use an outline method to record information. Make sure to leave a lot of space between main ideas.
3. The left-hand column is the Cue Column, used when you review the information in your note column. Write down key words or information that would “cue” your memory. This is an excellent place to write study questions.
4. The bottom, full-width block is the summary section, used to recap, in your own words, the main points from the page.