Note-Taking Hips and Tints

NOTE TAKING TIPS

Rebecca Harper

SPACE IT OUT         ·  Use spaces and indentations to organize your notes.  

HIGHLIGHT             ·  Note the key structure of the lecture with numbers, underlining, all caps, etc.  (like in last week's lecture, there were TWO specific things so we numbered in our notes 1. and 2.).

SHORT CUT              ·  Save time and abbreviate common words that could be easily recognized as an abbreviation.  Examples: w/o = without, govt = government, w/ = with, attn = attention.

SCRIBBLE OUT       ·  Don't be afraid to erase (but only minimally, or it will take too long) or to draw arrows.

BE MESSY                ·  Notetaking on a lecture is often messy and incomplete.  That's okay.

REWRITE                  ·  When you return home after a lecture, rewrite your notes, emphasizing the most important concepts and adding missed ideas.  This is a great way to study and review the material, and then when you return again to your notes to study for a test, your notes will be clear and readable.  I did this all through high school and my university studies, and it made such a difference! 

Write ONCE               Likely to remember.

Write TWICE             AND LEGIBLE = even more likely to remember!

TEACH IT                  And it’s yours forever!