Table of contents
Self check
How do you usually take notes?
In general, do you do the following?
- Pre-lecture (the night/morning before)
- I look at the course outline to check the topic
- I get an overview by doing the recommended reading the week before.
- I make a list of any new words or questions for the topic
- I try to predict the content
- Just before the lecture (5 to 10 minutes before the start)
- I arrive at the lecture on time
- I talk to other students about the day's lecture topic
- I prepare in my mind for the type of organisation and delivery the lecturer will probably have
- I try to predict the content
- My habits during lectures
- I listen while the lecturer gives a review of last week's topic
- I listen for the introduction and the first heading
- If there is an overview of the lecture on a slide, I use those points for my subheadings and to organise the body of my notes
- I note any definitions that the lecturer gives
- I have a system for organising and highlighting suggested references, authors, and articles the lecturer discusses
- I clearly identify examples and illustrations so I know which points they refer to
- I use a "?" if I cannot understand something
- Immediately after the lecture
- I talk to some of my classmates
- I check one of my classmate's notes in order to compare something I was unsure about
- I have developed some methods for checking the accuracy of my notetaking
- After the lecture that day
- I look at my notes and ask myself questions to check comprehension of the main ideas
- I look up the correct spelling of words I have identified during the lecture
- I email/telephone/talk to a classmate as part of my regular revision
- I prepare some questions for the relevant tutorial
- A couple of days after the lecture
- I look at my notes again and identify which parts may help for my exams, and which for my assignments
- I look at the next topic coming up and plan my pre-lecture preparation time
- I enjoy feeling on top of things when I'm as prepared as I can be
Look back over your answers (print them out if you like). All of the above points will help to enhance your learning experience in the lecture. Pick out a couple of the points you have not ticked which could really make a difference to your study. Put them into practice!
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