Anytime you’re attending a college lecture, it’s crucial to document the most relevant information by taking notes. However, in order to take effective notes, you must first learn to identify important information and data. By learning the best way to take notes, and thus determining the most relevant details to document, you avoid wasting valuable time and effort. Additionally, the quality of your notes will increase significantly. To help you take more effective notes, we have provided some standard note-taking tips as well as guidelines for identifying important information that is crucial to include in your notes.
Before you begin taking notes, we want to offer you some tips for improving the overall quality and structure of your notes.
When taking notes in college, did you know that you can begin the note-taking process even before arriving to class? By previewing the syllabus and reading assignments, you’re able to get an idea of the main topics that will be discussed and thus be better prepared when it’s time to take notes.
Now that you’re prepared and have an idea of what to expect for class, it’s time to get into note-taking mode. One of the most difficult aspects of college note-taking is that you must remain attentive for long periods of time. As daydreaming for even a few moments can cause one to miss important details, it’s crucial to mentally prepare for the long periods of concentration required for taking effective notes.
While taking notes, try and remain consistent in the structure that you choose to use. Additionally, to help organize your notes and break down complex information, include bullet points, abbreviations, and symbols.
Finally, after you have finished your note-taking session, you now need to review, review, and review some more. Comprehending the information and data does not occur during class, but rather after you conduct several hours of studying each day. Ideally, once a class is over, you should devote an hour or two to going over your notes so that you increase your chances of retention.
Some students are most comfortable taking notes using pen and paper. However, for those who opt to use their computers, there are options for advanced note-taking software available that can help tremendously in not only taking notes but also organizing and adding additional information once you have left class. Furthermore, some note-taking apps even include smart technology that can completely change the way that you take notes by allowing you to create personal knowledge databases, upload your work to cloud-based servers, and connect with other individuals who share similar interests.
Now that you have learned some general tips for improving the quality and organization of your notes, let’s discuss how to properly identify important information. Of course, all of the tips aforementioned are pointless if your notes do not include the most important information discussed in class. When in doubt as to what is and isn’t important information to include in your notes, consider the following guidelines:
Repeated concepts or words usually appear on tests.
Anytime your instructor uses nonverbal cues, such as pointing and gesturing, or adds special emphasis to a word or concept, they are signaling that the following information is important.
During lecture introductions, your instructor will likely provide summaries, and, in some instances, entire overviews of what is to follow. Therefore, it’s especially crucial to listen closely at the start of class.
Finally, listen to phrases such as: “In summary…,” “The four main points are…,” and “It’s important to remember that…,” as they indicate that your instructor is about to give some vital information.
Now that you have learned some note-taking tips as well as how to identify the most important information when taking notes, we hope you feel more confident the next time you attend a class lecture. Lightmap is an advanced, all-inclusive note-taking computer app that optimizes the way in which you approach and conduct note-taking. To learn more about our services and get support in taking your best notes, visit our website today!