Take+Note

A search using our library catalog yields numerous print and online sources to help students take notes. Some of the titles on our shelves include: Scholastic's A+ Guide to Good Grades by Louise Colligan, Study Smart Junior : Studying Your Way to Stardom by Chris Kensler, and How to Study for Success by Beverly Ann Chin, Ph. D. [|WebPath] Express (a feature of our catalog that organizes and presents relevant up-to-date web sources) yielded eight websites. Essentially, there is something for everyone. Why is note-taking so important?

Reason #1 : Organized notes will help you identify the heart of important ideas in the classroom or your textbook. Reason #2 Well-written notes will help you to learn and remember later.

Did you know? There are 5 systems used for note-taking; The Cornell Method, The Outline Method, The Mapping Method, The Charting Method and The Sentence Method (visit the Wikipedia link below for more details).

Which system is right for you? This will depend on your learning style and preferences. Try them to see which works best. No matter which system you decide upon they all have something in common. Below is information taken from an article published by The [|McGraw]-Hill Companies, one of our textbook publishers, that sums up note-taking quite nicely.

=Note-Taking Tips for Students=

Taking notes increases understanding, so it is very important to learn this skill. Follow the helpful suggestions below: 1. Be prepared when you come to class with paper and a pencil or pen. 2. Each new class needs its own new page—start one as soon as you sit down to write! By placing the date on the top line, you will be taking an important step in being well-organized. If at all possible, keep a separate binder for each class. 3. While your teacher’s words are very important, it would be an impossible task to write them all down. Concentrate, listen, and then… 4. Write down the big ideas. What major facts is your teacher sharing? What are the connections? The main ideas? You will have to practice listening for these and writing them down, but you will become adept before you know it! 5. Abbreviate words and names that commonly occur, and devise your own (but don’t forget what they stand for!). Developing and using your own system will make your note-taking even more effective. 6. Your page should have a lot of white space, especially between ideas. This will help you read your notes more easily when you study, and will also make it possible to add more thoughts. 7. Use diagrams and pictures when warranted. This can help you understand the material. 8. If your teacher refers to a page in the textbook, write it down! This will also help you when it comes time to study. 9. Review your notes to make sure they’re correct. You might want to do this just before you start your homework so you can clarify anything that is confusing or needs additional explanation. 10. Obtain notes for any classes you miss. The buddy system works really well; find a partner with whom to share.

Notetaking. (2006, June 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:58, July 18, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Notetaking&oldid=60935267. "Note-Taking Tips for Students." Download Depot of Free Teaching Materials, Teaching Today, Glencoe Online. 2005. The [|McGraw]-Hill Companies, Inc. 18 July 2006 .

--Ana Ritter