When you take notes it is very important to consider the way you do it because that can have a great academic impact. If you take some effective notes they may allow you to capture the most important points of a conference, that you can organize the information and that you concentrate all your resources on knowing what you should study and that it is easier to review the material and save time.
If you do not take the notes well and take notes in your opposition academy it will be a problem for you because you won't be able to remember everything your teacher told you. Plus, taking notes is a great way to stay awake and focused throughout the class. But, what is the most important thing you need to know so that your notes are adequate?
General guidelines for taking notes
No matter what you have to take notes or notes about, you should follow some simple strategies to produce better results and to be more effective. Knowing your notes and the number of pages you have each time is very important to be able to keep a good organization, even if you do it in loose sheets. Keep in mind:
- Don't try to write every word that the teacher says.
- Use phrases instead of sentences.
- Use words instead of phrases.
- Some information will have to be accurately recordedsuch as definitions, quotes, formulas, specific facts, etc.
- Leave space on the paper to fill it in with more information at the end of the notes so as not to lose detail.
- Make sure to copy everything that is written on the board.
- Sit where you can get a good look at the board and hear the teacher clearly.
- Stay focused in class and do not entertain yourself with comments from other students or what happens outside the classroom.
- Listen carefully to any information that the teacher emphasizes and mark it with asterisks in your notes to remind yourself that it is important.
- Pay attention to the teacher's summaries of the most important aspects.
- Use different note-takings to find out which ones work best for you.
- Learn common abbreviations to type faster and save time.
- Develop your own symbols and commonly used words to better understand your notes.
- Indicate the importance of some quotes with underlines or arrows. It also highlights the most important with concepts, relationships or examples.
- Write clearly so your notes are legible, This way you will avoid wasting time rewriting your notes.
- Check with other students about your notes to make sure you haven't missed important ideas.
The organization as key
The organization of your notes is very important so that later, when you have to study, you can do it without being overwhelmed because you cannot find notes or because they are not well ordered. Sorting notes will waste your time. It is important that you have your notebook well separated for each topic you are studying. You can use separate notebooks or use dividers and loose sheets in ring binders.. It is important that so that you do not forget your notes, you can regularly review your notes. At the end of each week you will be able to know what you have studied to date and it will be easier for you to be able to mentally organize everything that has been given in class.
Different ways of taking notes
Taking notes is something very personal that should be done knowing which way is the one that makes you feel most comfortable. In this sense, you can choose between several ways of taking notes, although you should never forget that what really matters is that you are able to understand your handwriting, what you have written and that the order of writing is adequate and easy to remember. Some forms of notes are:
- Take notes writing what the teacher says.
- Scheme
- The Cornell Note System
- The maps
- The graphics
Any of these forms of notes is valid. If you do not know any of them, do not worry because later I will tell you about each of these ways so that you can choose the one that best suits you and with your way of taking notes and studying.
What is your current way of taking notes? Do you think it is adequate or that you should improve?