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Tips

• Collect notes for each course in one place, in a separate notebook or section of a notebook.
  
• Write notes on one side of the page only.
  
• Use a loose-leaf notebook rather than a notebook with a permanent binding. See the pattern of a lecture by spreading out the pages.
  
• Use two pieces of paper, one as a draft, and one as your final notes or use the Cornell Notetaking Method to organize the revision and review of your notes.
  
• Enter your notes legibly because it saves time. Make them clear.
  
• Box assignments and suggested books so you can identify them quickly.
  
• Mark ideas which the lecture emphasizes with an arrow or some special symbol.
  
• When the teacher looks at his/her notes, pay attention to what they say next.
  
• Trade your "draft" notes with a classmate after each lecture.
  
• Incorporaate different colors of ink, diagrams, drawings of your own. Make your notes your notes. Take advantage of how you learn (visually, aurally, or actively) and write/draw your notes according to that style.
  
• Watch for signal words. Your instructor is not going to send up a rocket when she states an important new idea or gives an example, but she will use signals to telegraph what she is doing. Every good speaker does it, and you should expect to receive these signals. For example, she may introduce an example with "for example" as done here. Other common signals:
  
  
  • "There are three reasons why...." (Here they come!)
  • "First...Second... Third...." (There they are!)
  • "And most important,...." (A main idea!)
  • "A major development...." (A main idea again!)
  She may signal support material with:
  
  
  • "On the other hand...."
  • "On the contrary...."
  • "For example...."
  • "Similarly...."
  • "In contrast...."
  • "Also...."<//li>
  • "Further...."
  • "Furthermore...."
  • "As an example...."
  • "For instance...."
  He may signal conclusion or summary with:
  
  
  • "Therefore...."
  • "In conclusion...."
  • "As a result...."
  • "Finally...."
  • "In summary...."
  • "From this we see...."
  She may signal very loudly with:
  
  
  • "Now this is important...."
  • "Remember that...."
  • "The important idea is that...."
  • "The basic concept here is...."
  
  
• Consider splitting the page into two columns -- keep lecture notes on one side, and write questions that come up during the lecture on the other side. This will ensure that you don't forget any unclear points or questions that come up during the lecture, and will enable you to associate the answer with the relevant material when you find it later. Also, if you go to office hours, your professor will notice that you were paying attention in class, which will pay off in the long run.
  
• Consider buying a cheap tape recorder. Take in consideration the recording range of the hardware (on the package), the length of tape and the lecture, how big the lecture hall is, and how far away you will be from the lecturer.