Taking Effective Notes

One of the best ways of learning as you work through a lesson is to take notes as you read. This changes the learning experience from a passive one to an active one—so you learn the material more completely.

Here are some suggestions for effective note taking:

• Write down the definitions of words you’re not familiar with and highlight key points of the definition.
• Focus on the key points as you read and make a note of each one.
• Rewrite these points in your own words rather than copying; this helps you remember much more clearly.
• Summarize the points you’ve learned at the end of the lesson.

You may want to divide your page in half and write your notes on the right-hand side. Later, when you are reviewing, you can write extra notes on the left-hand side and draw arrows to connect related ideas.

Reviewing to Remember

Here are some suggestions to help you make the best use of your study and review time:

• Review regularly rather than just before a test.
• Set aside a separate time for review: one hour once a week is often enough—but you’ll have to decide what’s best for you.
• Reread actively; jot down extra notes, drawings, and other information you think of.
• Close your notes and summarize key concepts, formulas, and facts on a fresh sheet of paper—then check to see how well you did.
• Use visual and other devices to help you remember such as drawings, diagrams, rhymes, associations—whatever works for you.

Some students find it helpful to use a card system. As you’re reviewing, jot down (on a card) a key word or phrase that triggers an idea in your mind and a brief description of that word or phrase.

Effective Viewing and Listening

For some courses, you may be required to watch one or more video episodes or listen to audiocassettes. There may be guided practices for you to complete before, during, and after watching the video or listening to the audiocassette.

Here are some suggestions for effective viewing and listening:

• Watch the episode or listen to the audiocassette first without taking notes or doing any of the guided practices. Then rewind the tape and watch or listen to it again. This time, however, have your pencil/pen and paper or keyboard and software ready to jot down notes and complete the assessment.
• Leave the lights on when you’re watching the video. We are naturally programmed to doze off when the lights go down.

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