How To Succeed [in any course]
The Study Cycle
There is a definite process to taking in new information. The study cycle helps you identify and emphasize the phases of learning. Click the image to view a video about the process.
How To Take Notes, in General.
Note taking is a learned skill and there is no " best way". You will find your way! Below is a guide to help you find comfort in taking quality notes. Following that are some methods you can try.
When taking notes remain actively engaged with the material, be it a video or lecture.
DO:
DON'T:
When taking notes remain actively engaged with the material, be it a video or lecture.
DO:
- summarize, be concise
- write neatly & legibly
- use headings, numbered points, and bullets to group thoughts
- abbreviate common terms/words
- leave large open spaces in your notes for later amendment
DON'T:
- copy verbatim (i.e. word for word)
- copy details of things you already know or understand
Note Structures You Can Try!
CORNELL NOTE TAKING SYSTEM
This method of note taking was devised for students at Cornell University. It is a structured, common-sense way of ensuring that you take clear notes, engage with them actively, and have clear material from which to revise. This method should help you to you engage with the material, transfer it from your short-term to your long-term memory, and mean that you have useful notes from which to revise. Advantages.
HOW TO TAKE CORNELL NOTES - cool video here
Before the lesson:
This method of note taking was devised for students at Cornell University. It is a structured, common-sense way of ensuring that you take clear notes, engage with them actively, and have clear material from which to revise. This method should help you to you engage with the material, transfer it from your short-term to your long-term memory, and mean that you have useful notes from which to revise. Advantages.
- This format is often suggested to students who need to produce summaries of key ideas
- It is particularly useful for taking notes from lectures
- It ensures that you actively engage with the material, and aids recall
- It can be very useful when it comes to preparing and revising for exams
HOW TO TAKE CORNELL NOTES - cool video here
Before the lesson:
- Get a notebook or composition book.
- Rule off a section at the bottom quarter of each page to create a 'summary' space. Diagram linked here.
- Divide each page into two vertical columns; the left-hand column one third of the page wide, with the right-hand column taking up the remaining two thirds.
- Label each left-hand column 'KEY WORDS/QUESTIONS'; each right-hand column 'NOTES; and each space at the bottom 'SUMMARY'.
- Familiarize with the method of lesson delivery before you attempt to take notes!
- Arrive on time, and sit somewhere where you can see and hear the lecturer clearly, without distractions.
- Record your notes in the right hand side column. Don't attempt to write everything down, but aim to capture the general ideas, arguments, facts, etc.
- Do use abbreviations, and paraphrase (i.e. use your own words) wherever possible.
- Do leave spaces in between your notes, so that you can amend and add to them later.
- Read through your notes. Make any amendments or additions whilst the material is still relatively fresh in your mind.
- Summarise the main points in the space at the bottom of each page.
- In the left-hand column, note the key ideas or words from your notes on the right. Formulate these into questions.
- COVER UP your notes in the right-hand column, and see how well you can answer the key questions from memory.
- Re-format the notes: highlight, clarify, expand, make connections and generally refine your notes.
SPIDERGRAMS, MIND MAPS, AND CONCEPT MAPS
All terms for a similar means of presenting and connecting ideas in a diagrammatical, non-linear form. To create a mind map, start in the center of a page with an idea or heading representing your main idea or central theme. You then create branches out from the central idea, each branch representing a sub-theme. Each sub-theme can then be subdivided, as appropriate.This technique has a number of advantages:
Both spidergrams and linear notes can be used in note taking. Which style you use will depend on your personal preferences and the situation and purpose of your note taking.
Some students find mind maps difficult to use in lectures, when they are unsure of the structure of the lecture in advance. You might find this format more useful when you are reviewing or summarizing your lecture notes, or when you are taking notes from written materials. Mind maps can also help you brainstorm and organize your ideas about an essay topic.
All terms for a similar means of presenting and connecting ideas in a diagrammatical, non-linear form. To create a mind map, start in the center of a page with an idea or heading representing your main idea or central theme. You then create branches out from the central idea, each branch representing a sub-theme. Each sub-theme can then be subdivided, as appropriate.This technique has a number of advantages:
- It enables you to see a large amount of information/thought processing on one page
- Your central idea is clearly stated in the middle of the page
- You can show connections between key concepts
- Additional information can be added easily
- The open ended nature of the pattern means that you may be able to make new connections
Both spidergrams and linear notes can be used in note taking. Which style you use will depend on your personal preferences and the situation and purpose of your note taking.
Some students find mind maps difficult to use in lectures, when they are unsure of the structure of the lecture in advance. You might find this format more useful when you are reviewing or summarizing your lecture notes, or when you are taking notes from written materials. Mind maps can also help you brainstorm and organize your ideas about an essay topic.
SKELETON PROSE
This is the most common form of note taking. Notes are structured as a sequence of numbered points and paragraphs, with headings and indentations - a little like an essay plan. This is useful for those books/articles where arguments are static and built up slowly and sequentially. However they can have drawbacks:
This is the most common form of note taking. Notes are structured as a sequence of numbered points and paragraphs, with headings and indentations - a little like an essay plan. This is useful for those books/articles where arguments are static and built up slowly and sequentially. However they can have drawbacks:
- They are difficult to add to or amend
- They do not indicate the relationship or connection between different parts of an argument
- It is more tempting to copy sentences/passages verbatim
**Items on this page adapted from The University of Manchester's study skills guide located here.