How to take proper notes??

Question

i'm a freshman in college and i'm completely dumbfounded by all the information the professors throw at us.

i thought i was okay when it came to notes but OMG i cant get it together.

i need tips on how to write better notes! or maybe even directions lol!

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean. When you think you are writing down vital information the professor starts talking about something that sounds even more important. Myself I had a video camera built in my laptop and recorded the entire lecture that way if I missed something important I could go back later and write it down.  

Answer 2

hey there...just from personal experience:

read/skim the book or background info BEFORE you get to class...you have no idea how much this helps once you're sitting there trying to scramble to write everything down

also, be organized when you write...write in an outline-style format.

for example, instead of writing every sentence the prof gives, learn to pick up on key words and jot those down in larger print...make sure to use any form of punctuation later to highlight some parts of the notes (like arrows, underlining, stars, asterisks etc)...give each line enough space and indent as well, in case you need to write more after class.

also date each page and try to keep all notes in each subject the same format so you can be constant

hope this helps :)

Answer 3

Well there's the cornell method, writing down anything important, writing down big words (look them up in the dictionary later and fill it in), and writing in abbreviations.

Such as:

too/to = 2

for = 4

with = w/

etc. etc.

Drawing little pictures to stand for certain things helps, too.

OH! Important: if your professor repeats anything underline it and study it like crazy, 90% chance it's important!

Answer 4

http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/Cornl-ex.h...

Excellent question. There are more examples of the Cornell Method if you google it.  I spent today going over with my students.  It works.  Also, highlight key words in your notes, number your pages so when you review them you can make notes to, for e.g. see page xx.  If concepts are unclear, go to your text, add to your notes, in your own words, so you understand it.  Do this right after each lecture.  Good luck to you!  (college psych prof)