TAKING EFFECTIVE NOTES Notetaking is an essential skill

TAKING EFFECTIVE NOTES Note-taking is an essential skill every student should strive to master. This workshop will teach students how to be practical in taking notes, learn how to be concise, stay organized when taking notes, and understand what it means to be an active listener.

NOTE TAKING DURING CLASS Why should we care about note-taking? What is our biggest distraction from taking great notes in class?

Before effective note taker Prerequisite: Active Listener ● Active listening takes skill! It is not an automatic process. ● Set your focus on the speaker. ● Minimize distraction & develop strategies. ○ ○ ACTIVE LISTENING ● Try to sit at the front. Put your phone away. Identify what you need.

Keep you alert Stay engaged Practice Organization Professional Skill Active Listener Listening carefully help you stay engaged in the conversation Develop what is your best organization style Most jobs will require some type of note taking skill Be mindfully present Use shortcuts to link new material to previous key notes Keep you body & mind alert WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

The most important rule: Always look at your notes as a study guide.

Before & During Class Tips • • Have a dedicated notebook or folder for each of your class Notebook: – Always write the date & title on top of the paper – Give space to add or draw additional notes Laptop – Google Document – Set a reminder to charge your computer for class – Have a notebook as a backup in case there is a technology issue Develop shortcuts – Examples, Definitions, Exam Questions, Homework Assignments

Define & Identify what is important! • Do not write everything! • Put it into your own words • Identifying Key Terms – – – • Focus on unfamiliar concepts Take notes on names, dates, formulas, important descriptions, etc. Pay attention to the information your instructor repeats • “The most important…. ” “There will be a question like this on the exam” “The three main points are…” Definition and description should serve as a reminder of the lecture – – – Develop the skill on how to follow the pace of the lecture Leave space and move on to the next topic that is introduced You can always go back and add in more details if it is needed

If you do the reading ahead of time. . . • • • Taking notes becomes “MORE LISTENING” than writing Class seminars are more of a place to discuss & flesh out main topics Take notes in your own words the way it will benefit you – Record the topics that are discussed but not what everyone says about them – Instructors will not test on other people opinions • But other people perspective helps us increase our own understanding – Pay attention to how your instructor communicate • Example: • Do they share many descriptive examples? • Do they connect new material to prior knowledge?

NOTE TAKING STYLES Cornell Method Outline / Sentence Charting Concept Mapping Note Taking on Power. Point Slide

So, which style is the best method? You decide for yourself! Develop your skill to implement specific strategies from each method. Create separation within your notes. Have a step-by-step organization. Always include examples, image, or graph to help you recall information. When taking notes, find ways you can save time (printing Power. Points in advance).

Review your notes • 24 Hour RULE – – – Do not get wrapped up if you do not understand a section Leave space and then go back to add more information Review your notes before the next class session • Make sure you are doing your reading outside of class – – Recognize textbook and outside reading are there for purposes Class lecture are limited time, and you will not learn everything Ease your stress by going to class prepared If the professor jumps around point, go to class with an outline of your notes • Make sure you have the most important terms written

TAKEAWAYS ● Arrive to class on time ● Go to class prepared ● Do your reading ahead of time (or after) ● Develop your active listening skill ● See your notes as study guides ● Only write down important points ● Revise your notes ● Your professor can only teach you so much ● Master your note-taking style

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY!! Want more information? Phone: 970 -491 -1779 Website: https: //tilt. colostate. edu/learning/tilt. Workshops/