| The do's |
The don'ts |
| 1. Active listening: If possible, think before writing. |
but don't get behind |
| 2. Be open mind about points you disagree on |
Don't let arguing interfere with your note-taking. |
| 3. Develop an use a standard method of note-taking including punctuation, abbreviations, and margins, etc. |
|
| 4. Take and keep notes in a large notebook. Large notebook allows you to adequately indent and use an outline form. |
Small notebook is ease to carry but not easy to store heavy notes |
| 5. Leave a few spaces blank as you move from one point to the next so that you can fill in additional points later if necessary. |
Your objective is to take helpful notes, not to save paper. |
| 6. Spend more time listening and attempt to take down the main points |
|
| 7. Listen for cues: important points, transition, repetition and/ or for emphasis of points, changes in voice inflections, enumeration of a series of points, etc. |
|
| 8. Be alert for cues about what the professor thinks is important. |
Do not get lost in a barrage of minor points, which do not seem related to each other. |
| 9. Make your original notes legible enough for your own reading. |
The effort required to recopy your notes can be better spent in rereading them and thinking about them. |
| 10. Use abbreviations of your own invention when possible |
Although neatness is a virtue in some respect, it does not necessarily increase your learning |
| 11. Copy down everything on the board, it may serve as a useful clue for you later. |
|
| Sit as close to the front of the class, there are fewer distractions and it is easier to hear, see and attend to important material. |
|
| 13. Get assignments and suggestions precisely and ask questions if you are not sure. |
|
