NOTE TAKING FOR

STUDYING: HOW TO
EFFECTIVELY DO IT
Outline • Introduction
• Advantages of note taking
• How to
– Before lecture/class
session
– During lecture/class
session
– After lecture/class session
• Types
– Summary of types
What is • The practice of taking
note down information from
another source.
taking?
• The information taken
down is taken in a
systematic way so that it
can be found and used
easily.
• Different from how it is
done at secondary
education level.
Advantages • Keeps listeners/students
of effective alert
note taking • Engages minds
• Helps emphasise and
organise information
• Helps create a record of
the topic(s) covered
• Helps listeners/students
remember better
 How to? • Read up the topic
(Before • On the day of the class,
lecture/class spend 10 mins reviewing
previous topic
sessions)
• Turn phones to silent
mode, only check for
notifications from family
• Make sure note taking
equipment is on hand
– Paper or Notebook
better? To be discussed!
 How to? • Start new lecture/class
(During session on a new page.
lecture/class • Put a topic title/heading at
top of the page
sessions)
• Write on one side of page
only, start a new
paper/page when that side
is filled
 Paper Pros
Notebook • Everything in one place
Debate • Saves space

(Notebook)
Cons
• Can’t organise notes like how
you would for loose paper
• Limited space
 Paper Pros
Notebook • Can always start on a new
Debate paper
• Can easily compare with
(Loose other papers
Paper)
Cons
• Easily disorganised with
other class notes and/or lost
-> consider a folder for each
class?
A solution • Best of Notebook + Paper
for the = Loose leaf/paper
debate? notebook/folder
• If above
unavailable/unattainable
– Individual folders by
subject (for loose papers)
OR
– Individual notebooks by
subject
 Click icon to add picture
Best of Notebook
+ Paper = Loose
leaf/paper
notebook/folder
 Click icon to add picture

Individual
folders by
subject
 Individual
notebooks by
subject
 How to? • Use texting lingo.

(During • Use symbols where

applicable (make sure it is
lecture/class understood/known by note
sessions) – taker)
cont. • Write down only the main
points/ideas
• Take note when this “Clues”
appear:
– Anytime lecturer says,
“You need to know this,” or
“This will be on the test.”
 How to? • Clues (cont.):

(During – Anytime lecturer repeats

him/herself.
lecture/class – Anything lecturer writes
sessions) – on board or repeats
cont. something very slowly so
that it can be taken down
word for word.
– If lecturer starts talking
more quickly, or loudly, or
with more emphasis.
 How to? • Clues (cont.):
– Watch for keywords that
(During shows relationships
lecture/class between ideas. Usually
forms exam questions
sessions) –
– E.g.:
cont.  first, second, third
 especially, most
significant, most
important
 however, on the other
hand
 because, so, therefore,
consequently
 How to? • Write down any examples
given (may be seen in exam
(During
questions)
lecture/class • If have any questions, note
sessions) – them down (at the sides of
cont. the notes)
– To ask during the class?
After?
 How to? • Date and no. the pages
(After • Review the class topic and
lecture/class clarify the notes taken
sessions) • Apply the notes into an
outline of the topic and
subject.
• Fill in the missing gaps ->
may need to look up
information in books and
other topic related sources
Types of • Explain the following
Note methods with advantages
and disadvantages
Taking
– The Cornel Method
Methods
– Mind-Mapping
– Outlining Method
– Charting Method
– Sentence/linear Method
Summary of • There is no one method
note-taking that is better than the
other.
methods
• It really depends on
– what works best for
student (can understand
the notes? will review it?)
– type of class (topic, etc.)
• It also depends on how
well student prepares for
the class
Conclusion • Read up the topic before class
starts
• Review previous class topic
• Make sure all note taking
utensils are ready
• Don’t copy everything seen or
heard (exc. ones where lecturer
gives examples/ writes on
board). Look out for the
“Clues.”
• Review the topic after class,
make notes easier to understand
QUESTIONS?
References • Write This Down: Note-Taking Strategies for
Academic Success, McKay. B (2012), The Art of
Manliness. Available at: (https
://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/01/27/write-this
-down-note-taking-strategies-for-academic-succ
ess
/)
• 7 Note-Taking Skills Every College Student Should
Have, Student Life; California College San Diego
Blog (2012). Available at: (https://
www.cc-sd.edu/blog/7-note-taking-skills-every-co
llege-student-should-have
)
• Note Taking Strategies, Academics; Saint Mary’s
College of California (no date) Available at: (
https://
www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-resour
ces-support/student-academic-support-services/t
utorial-academic-skills-4
)
• HOW TO TAKE STUDY NOTES: 5 EFFECTIVE
NOTE TAKING METHODS, Oxford Learning