Take Better Notes
Northampton Community College Learning Center
February 07, 2012
The following ten true or false questions will help you assess your note-taking skills. Answer honestly.
T F Taking notes is unnecessary. I can remember everything I hear in
class without a notebook.
T F I write down everything the professor says.
T F I just copy everything that's on the board or the PowerPoint.
T F I always write in complete sentences and paragraphs. My notebook
looks like a collection of essays.
T F I write as small as possible and cover every line to save paper. It's
good to be green.
T F I have all of my notes for all of my classes in a single one-subject
notebook.
T F I don't date my notes. They are in the order of the lectures anyway.
T F I wait to read my textbooks until after class so I know what to read
for.
T F If I miss something, it's no big deal. I don't leave spaces in my notes
to add information in later or check with the instructor after class for
clarification.
T F I only review my notes the week of the exam.
If you answered "True" to any of the questions above there are some additional tips and techniques that will help you develop your note-taking skills.
While it may be true that you are an auditory learner and can learn a lot of information simply from listening to a lecture, taking notes can help you stay focused, indicate key concepts that you will need to review, and record questions you need to ask the instructor about after class or during office hours.
It is more important to summarize key information from the lecture than to try to capture everything that your instructor says or puts on the board or screen. Information often follows a set pattern, e.g. old before new, cause and effect, timeline of events. Using the patterns of information and other cues from your instructor will help you identify the main ideas and supporting details.
Come to class prepared. Read your textbook. Set up your notebook in preparation for the day's activities. Have pen and pencil ready to take notes.
Leave class ready to work on your own. Review your notes as soon after class as possible. Add in any missing details and explanations while the information is fresh. Follow-up with your instructor or a tutor for clarification.
Celebrate National Tutor Appreciation Week during October 3 - October 7. Stop by the Main Campus Learning Center and add a thank you via post-it note on the Positive Post-It Posters. Don't have a tutor to thank? Stop by the Learning Center today to learn about free tutoring options available to all students. If you have additional questions or would like more information regarding tutoring services for the Main Campus, please feel free to call us at (610) 861-5517 or the Monroe Campus at (570) 688-4197.
Visit the Learning Center's Facebook page and join in on the discussion about tutoring at NCC.
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