Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you ever have trouble deciding what to jot down during a lecture? Have you ever wished that you could take more effective or better notes? Note-taking in class might be scary, whether you’re sitting in a lecture hall or watching a lecture online, but with a few clever strategies, anybody can take clear, effective notes. This handout will cover the necessity of taking notes, the characteristics of excellent notes, and how to improve your note-taking skills.
You currently take meticulous notes, but you’re looking for ways to improve your note-taking skills and start taking notes that are more valuable. You may utilize a variety of note-taking techniques and tactics to make your notes as productive and clutter-free as possible, and we’ll teach you how! We’ve also included some pointers on how to review your notes effectively so that you can get the most out of them.
With continuous lectures, readings, essays, reports, and presentations, being a graduate student is a lot of work. Try ignorance if you believe studying is tough. Ignorance is not an option for those of us interested in “understanding the causes of things,” as the LSE motto puts it.
As a result, we feel compelled to drink up as much information as possible, taking as much as we can from the onslaught of data. Here are some helpful hints for jotting down key notes during lectures.
Get the most Important Questions of Physics, Maths and Biology
Top 9 Tips for Taking Notes During Lectures
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You won’t be able to jot down all that is said:
A lecture is not a dictation exercise in which you must write down everything spoken by the professor. In the lectures, keep an eye out for crucial ideas, arguments, and themes. It’s fortunate that LSE courses are recorded since you can always go back and review anything you missed.
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Capitalize, underline, and highlight:
Certain words or phrases are frequently emphasized or drawn attention to by lecturers. To emphasize how significant these words are, underline or highlight them on your notepad. It’s also a good idea to start utilizing these terminologies in your group conversations to familiarise yourself with them.
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Remove all potential sources of distraction:
It may be a good idea to turn off your Wi-fi during lectures to avoid being distracted by messages on WhatsApp or Facebook. Avoid using headphones or earpieces by setting your phone to silent mode.
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When you’re unsure, ask questions:
Don’t just scribble stuff down that you don’t comprehend. When you’re unsure, ask for clarification. You can always meet with the lecturer during breaks, after the lecture, or during Office Hours if you have any questions.
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Laptop vs. Notepad:
There has been much discussion about which of these two is the most effective for taking notes during lectures. Some believe that notepads are antiquated, while others maintain that computers are inconvenient. It depends on the individual, in my opinion. I began with notepads and then progressed to my laptop. It is up to you to decide which is more effective. In certain courses, though, I still utilize my notes.
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Pay close attention:
It’s all too easy to become lost in thought during a presentation and overlook a crucial topic. Try to get adequate rest before lectures to prevent nodding off in class. To keep awake during lectures, some individuals sip coffee, while others chew gum. Pay close attention to any examples supplied by the professor to illustrate a concept. The example might sometimes assist us in remembering the point in the future.
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Make use of shorthand (Abbreviations):
Some words must be put in short but intelligible forms in order to catch up. So, choose a shorthand code that you’re comfortable with and practice it. For example, instead of ‘to’, ‘too’, and ‘two,’ use ‘2’, or ‘da’ for ‘the,’ ‘w/’ for ‘with,’ btw for ‘between,’ and so on.
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Relax and unwind:
Make sure you arrive on time for your lectures and find a comfortable seat. When their preferred seat in the lecture hall is already taken, students are typically discouraged. Choose a location where you will feel at ease and as though you are a part of the lesson.
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Let your voice be heard:
Not all lectures are one-sided. Lecturers will occasionally ask students questions or solicit responses. Don’t let yourself down. Discuss how the topic connects to what you’ve already heard or seen, as well as your personal feelings about it. Seminars and workshops also provide greater opportunities for personal thinking on the subject. They make it easier to conduct critical analysis and hammer out issues raised during the presentation. You can also comment on the lecture and make your own point here. “A lecture is far more of a discussion than many of you probably realize,” George Wald correctly observes.
Notes in Various Formats;
- Cornell Notes: – The date, important question, topic, notes, questions, and a summary are all included in the Cornell Notes format.
- Outline: – An outline divides the lecture into major ideas and leaves space for examples and details.
- Flowchart/concept map: – For content that has an order or steps, a visual depiction of notes is useful.
- Charting Method: – A method for organizing notes from lectures including a large number of information by separating major themes into columns and noting data beneath them.
- Sentence Method: – One of the most basic types of note-taking, useful for immediately distributing whatever bits and information from a lecture are crucial.
Why are good notes important?
In-Class Benefits:
Taking good notes in class is a crucial aspect of college academic achievement. Taking notes actively throughout class might help you focus and grasp key themes. Before a class discussion, you may be required to watch an educational video. Active listening, understanding, and recall will all benefit from good note-taking. Taking notes on both synchronous and asynchronous content will aid in recalling what you hear and see.
Post-Class Benefits:
Good notes are essential for reviewing and analyzing class content after class so that you may better grasp it and prepare for tests. Time, energy, and confusion may be saved by taking efficient and succinct notes instead of trying to make sense of unorganized, overwhelming, inadequate, or wordy notes. Taking good notes while watching a video may save you the time and effort of pausing, rewinding, and rewatching important parts of a presentation. Making outlines and learning can be aided by taking good notes.
Also read: Why Students Fail in Exams
FAQs;
1: What is the most effective method for taking notes in class?
Ans: Use acronyms and symbols to keep your notes succinct and brief. Use bullets and phrases instead of full sentences. This will keep your mind and hand fresh during class and will make it simpler and faster to access things thereafter. It will also assist you in concentrating on the essential ideas.
2: What are the five different ways to take notes?
Ans:
- Cornell’s Method.
- The Outlining Technique.
- The Mapping Technique.
- The Method of Charting.
- The Sentence Method is a method for determining the length of a sentence.
3: Is it necessary for me to take notes when studying?
Ans: Taking notes requires you to pay attention and aids your concentration in class (or while reading a textbook). It aids your learning. According to studies on learning, actively interacting with a topic by listening and then summarizing what you hear helps you grasp and recall the knowledge later.
