Roane State Community College

Nancy Riecken serves on the national board of the College English Association. She has edited numerous academic publications, including the three-volume series, How to Succeed in College. She also enjoys writing children’s stories, personal essays, and poetry. She may be contacted at rieckennj@roanestate.edu

By Nancy Riecken

What kind of note-taking is smart note-taking?

Classrooms are often full of noise. You arrive, see people you know, and you start talking. Or if you don’t know anyone, other people talk to each other. Conversations are distracting, and it’s easy to think about anything other than what you’re in the classroom for. The professor walks in, and some people get quiet. Others just keep on yammering away. It may take the prof a while to get people to settle down. This tends to get the class started in a negative way.

So class “begins,” and stuff may be written on the board or you’re told to turn to the textbook, or a pop quiz is given, or a writing prompt is made, or you’re told to hand in work that was assigned last time. Anything can happen. Are you up for it?
If you’d taken textbook and lecture notes you would be. Successful students come prepared. Here’s how:

Textbook Notes

• Table of Contents: what chapter are you assigned? If the Table of Contents is an “expanded” table it will list the main headings of each chapter. These are the main ideas to be covered.
• Take your notebook and list those main ideas, leaving about 6 lines between each main idea.
• Go to the assigned chapter. See the headings throughout that repeat the main ideas. Look through the content under each main idea. See any sub-headings.
• List the sub-headings in your notebook under each main idea. Leave space.
• Read through a sub-heading, underlining pertinent details and examples. List them in your notebook alongside the sub-heading.
• That’s it. Simple enough, right? Now what about lecture notes?
• When the prof enters, show a little respect. Be quiet and keep your eyes on the prof. Keep your ears open and listen to the lecture.

Lecture Notes

• If notes are placed on the board, write them in your notebook neatly and carefully.
• As the session continues, add details to those notes. They’ll be based on the reading assignment you’ve just reviewed.
• If the prof asks for questions, connect your textbook notes to the lecture notes and ask for clarification to aid your understanding.
• After class, go over the lecture notes and re-write them. Pay attention to the prof’s main ideas; write the details below each main idea.
• You can even use double-column note-taking to connect your prof’s points with the textbook points.

How do you prepare for the next class?

• Write down the assignment you’re given.
• If you don’t understand, ask for further explanation. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.
• Read the assigned materials right away. Make notes in the textbook and in your notebook.
• Do any writing assignments as soon as possible, while the work is fresh in your mind.
• When the next class comes around, arrive early and review your notes. You’ll be ready for success!

Related

• Understand the value of note-taking
• Persistence and the art of note-taking