Taking Notes in Class

In classes, your lecturers will talk about topics that you are studying. The information they provide will be important for you to know when you sit your exams. You must be able to take good written notes from what the lecturers say.

Taking good notes is a three-stage process in which there are certain things you should do before class, during class, and after class. Here are the three stages of note taking and what you should do during each stage.

1. Get Ready to Take Notes (Before Class)

• Review your notes from the previous class session before you come to class. This will help you remember what was covered and get you ready to understand new information your lecturer provides.
• Complete all assigned readings before you come to class. Your lecturer will expect that you have done this and will use and build upon this information.
• Bring all note taking materials with you to class. Have several pens and pencils as well as your notebook.
• Take Notes (During Class)
• Keep your attention focused on what your lecturer is saying. Listen for “signal statements” that tell you that what your lecturer is about to say is important to write in your notes. Examples of signal statements are “The most important point…” and “Remember that . . . “Be sure to include in your notes information that your lecturer repeats or writes on the chalkboard.
• Write quickly so that you can include all the important information in your notes. Do this by writing abbreviated words such as med for medicine, using symbols such as % for percent, and writing short sentences.
• Place a ? next to information you write in your notes, but about whose meaning you are not sure.
• Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)
• Rewrite your notes to make them more complete by changing abbreviated words into whole words, symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer sentences.
• Make your notes more accurate by answering any questions you had when writing your notes in class. Use your textbook and reference sources to obtain the information you need to answer your questions. If necessary, ask your lecturer or other students for help.
• Check with other students to be sure you did not leave out important information.

Having good class notes will help you to be better prepared for tests.

Your Preferred Learning Style

A learning style is a way of learning. YOUR preferred learning style is the way in which YOU learn best. Three learning styles that are often identified in students are the Auditory Learning Style, the Visual Learning Style, and the Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style. Read about each of these learning styles to identify YOUR preferred learning style.

• Are you an Auditory Learner?

Auditory Learners learn best when information is presented in an auditory language format. Do you seem to learn best in classes that emphasize lecturer lectures and class discussions? Does listening to audio tapes help you learn better? Do you find yourself reading aloud or talking things out to gain better understanding? If YES, you are probably an Auditory Learner.

• Are you a Visual Learner?

Visual Learners learn best when information is presented in a written language format or in another visual format such as pictures or diagrams. Do you do best in classes in which lecturers do a lot of writing at the chalkboard, provide clear handouts, and make extensive use of an overhead projector? Do you try to remember information by creating pictures in your mind? Do you take detailed written notes from your textbooks and in class? If YES, you are probably a Visual Learner.

• Are you a Tactile/Kinesthetic Learner?

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners learn best in hands-on learning settings in which they can physically manipulate something in order to learn about it. Do you learn best when you can move about and handle things? Do you do well in classes in which there is a lab component? Do you learn better when you have an actual object in your hands rather than a picture of the object or a verbal or written description of it? If YES, you are probably a Tactile/Kinesthetic Learner.

Your learning style is your strength. Go with it whenever you can. When you can choose a class, try to choose one that draws heaviest on your learning style. When you can choose a lecturer, try to choose one who's teaching method best matches your learning style. When you choose a major and future career, keep your learning style firmly in mind.

Making an Oral Presentation

When making an oral presentation in class, you must know your subject well and convince your audience that they have something to gain from listening to you. Here are some things you can do to make an effective oral presentation.

• Be prepared. Research your subject to ensure that you are knowledgeable. Practice your presentation until you feel comfortable. Make sure you can present your information within whatever time limits you will have. Anticipate questions you may be asked and prepare answers to these.
• Know your audience. Tailor your presentation to your audience’s level of knowledge about the subject of your presentation, what they need to know, and their interests.
• Be positive. Make it clear that you are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about your subject.
• Don’t read your presentation. Talk to your audience. Use your notes as prompts as needed.
• Provide examples. Try to make your presentation as concrete and “down to earth” as possible. Add appropriate anecdotes and humor to drive home a point.
• Use visual aids. Supplement what you say with visual aids such as handouts, charts, transparencies, and slides. Make sure that everyone can easily see the visual aids. Don’t use visual aids that are so complex that the audience will spend its time trying to read them instead of listening to you. Visual aids are supplements to what you say, not replacements for what you say.
• Maintain eye contact. Shift your eye contact around the room so that everyone feels that you are talking to them.
• Actively involve your audience. People can only listen so long without their attention wandering. Making your presentation interesting will help you to capture and keep your audience’s attention for a while, but you must do more. Build in some simple and quick activities for your audience so that they are actively involved in your presentation. Ask questions that you are confident your audience will be able to answer.