Transcript Note Taking and Study Skills

Note Taking and
Study Skills
Presented By
New Student Advisement &
Retention( STARS) Center
Note Taking Tips
3 Essential Steps
1. Observe
2. Record
3. Review
Observe
 Eyes of Professor – glances at notes
then makes point – this signals that info
is important.
 Level of interest/animation
 Repetition to emphasize point
 Word clues :lists, conclusion, on the
other hand
 Pauses before/after an idea
 Writes an idea on board or uses overhead
projector
 Transitions from one point to the next
 Changes in voice inflection
 Word signals…enumeration of series of points
 Big deep breaths
Record
Decide on a system of note taking:
A.


Cornell Method – (see handout)
Record notes in “note taking” section
Leave “Recall Section” for key words and
phrases
B. Index Cards: 3*5
 Label and date all notes
 New card for each topic/theme/idea/concept
 Organize cards ASAP!
C. Outline Form
Illustrates relationship
between major points
and supporting ideas
You are recording info
as well as organizing
them (see example in
handout)
Format
 In first “top” level headings note
major topic presented in lecture or
reading or lecture
 In third level headings, record
specific facts and details that support
or explain second level info.
 In second level heading record key
points that relate to each topic in
first level headings
D. Key Words (or phrases)
 Contain the essence of the lecture
or reading
 Includes technical
terms/names/numbers etc.
 Builds associations with other
words and ideas
 Key words trigger memory… they
are powerful review tools
 A few key words can initiate the
recall of a whole group of ideas
and reconstruct an entire lecture
E. Paragraph Form
 When it is difficult to follow organization of
lecture or to put info into outline form
 Paragraph will be informal and contain few
complete sentences
 Use complete sentences for precise
definition, direct quotations and important
points that Prof. emphasizes.
Note Taking Tips
 Note taking is a “think as you write”
process (not stenography)
 Eliminate some small connecting words and
pronouns
 Use standard abbreviations/use symbols
(see handout)
 Leave room for questions and missing info.
e.g.(
?
)
Note Taking Tips cont’d
 Copy all information from board
 Preference for three ring binder/loose leaf,
enables you to:

spread out notes for easy review

insert class handouts

insert notes from class in correct order

easily make revisions/corrections/additions
 Take notes on one side of paper.. able to spread
sheets side by side for easy review
Note Taking Tips cont’d
 Keep your own comments/notes separate..
Avoid confusion with professor’s
 Label, number and date all notes
 Leave blank spaces…use later to clarify
notes/pts enabling you to add
materials/write questions
 Take notes in different colors .e.g. write
important points in red
Review
 Within the first 24 hrs or sooner
 Edit notes as soon as possible while its
fresh in your memory
 Fill in key words (Cornell’s method) from
lecture notes
 Use recall column

reduces forgetting
Use recall column cont’d
 Promotes understanding
 Warm up for classes
 Important help for tests
 Treat as exam preparation
Three Types of Reviews
1. Daily Reviews
2. Weekly Reviews
3. Major Reviews
Daily Reviews
 Short pre and post class reviews of
lecture notes
 Before you begin a new reading
assignment, scan notes and
underlined sections in previous
assignments
 Concentrate on two kinds of
material
a. materials just learned
b. materials that involve simple
memorization .e.g. definitions and
dates
Daily Reviews Cont’d
 Conduct short daily reviews several times
throughout the day...index cards a must!!!
 Begin to review the first day of class!
 Go over notes during a lull in class
 Immediately after class review notes again
Weekly Reviews
 Longer (about an hour per subject)
and more structured
 Review each subject at least once a
week
 Weekly review sessions of assigned
reading and lecture notes
Major Reviews
 Usually conducted the week before
finals or major exams
 Longer review periods...two to five
hours at a stretch with breaks
 Breaks required for effective review
of materials
 During long sessions, study the most
difficult subjects at the beginning of
the session.. when you are most alert
Note Taking Is Important
 It
helps you to remember the
information
 It helps you to prepare for tests
 It helps you to concentrate in class
 Your notes are a good source of
information as it indicates all the
important points
 Your notes often contain information
that cannot be found elsewhere
Study Techniques
 Be aware of your time, choose the best
time to study and stick to it
 Study difficult subject first (why?)
 Use “waiting” time effectively...waiting
for the bus, the dentist, between classes
 Use regular study area day after
day...your body and mind knows where
you are
Study Techniques cont’d.
 Study where you will be alert!...Don't
study where you sleep!!
 Use the library...it gives you a signal to
quiet the mind and get to work
 Be mindful of your ability to
focus...notice the interruptions, let them
go and continue to study
Study Techniques cont’d.
 Agree with other individuals (family or
others) about study time
 Get off the phone, utilize the answering
machine. Don’t be a phone victim!
 Hang a “do not disturb” sign on your
door, beware of repeat offenders
Please complete the
evaluation handout...
Thank you for attending!!!
New STARS Center
Savoy Building
Room101D
Telephone: 718-518-4319
Or visit us at:
[email protected]