Reflect by connecting old and new material. Look for real life examples.
Think about what you have learned often and try to apply your learning.
TAKING NOTES IN LECTURES
Taking notes on what you hear.
1. Know enough about the topic before you enter class to
understand the essential ideas.
2. Be sure every group of notes bears the assignment title
or a definite heading to tell what the notes are about.
3. If possible listen until you understand a point before you
write it down. If you do not understand it, leave space in
your notes and ask the teacher or speaker to help you fill
in later.
4. Write down full statements rather than topics. Statements,
although short, carry much more meaning than topics.
5. Do not attempt to write too much. Note-taking should be practice
in selecting and evaluating; write in full only important quotation,
specific facts, such as dates, references, formulas, etc.; terms
and statements that will be needed; main headings and summaries.
6. Look for clues to important items, such as repetition of main idea;
keywords and phrases such as REMEMBER, I WILL NOT LIST, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO KNOW, etc.; voice inflections, pauses, changes in
speaking manner from casual to emphatic. Also watch for
transitional words such as BESIDES, THEREFORE, BUT, HOWEVER, etc.
7. Organize your notes as you write. Put the thoughts in your own
words and in the teacher's (speaker's) order. Two outstanding
features of poor notes are that the speaker's vocabulary is copied
and there is a great lack of organization.
8. Take notes in permanent form the first time--it is an absolute
waste of time to copy notes.
9. Listen attentively to distinguish between essentials and
non-essentials. Essentials are the facts or theories of the matter
being discussed. Explanations are next in important, sometimes
essential. The non-essential materials are introductory statements,
illustrations, transitional paragraphs, etc.
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