In order to prepare for a lecture, the first thing I do is look at the syllabus my professor
provided the class and see what topics will be discussed in the next lecture.
I usually use the syllabus as a guide or outline to schedule my lecture’s topics and understand
what chapters we will be studying WHEN, during the semester.
Afterwards I pick up my textbook and flip the pages over to the index.
The index provides a thoroughly detailed list of all the topics covered in the book so I
spend a few seconds trying to find the topics that I have marked in my syllabus and the
correspondent pages.
After that I skim lightly through the chapter that we will be covering, just so I have a
notion of what our class will be about, the number of topics we will discuss and the density
of the learning materials.
Even if you lack the time, I always recommend people to NOT skip this step.
Even if you are not studying intensely, just skimming through the reading materials will
give you a whole better notion of the class’s subject.
If you have the time, though, creating a few quick summaries of what you have just read
will prepare you even better for your lecture.
I like to make these topic by topic, according to the structure of the textbook, so if the
professor is guided by those reading materials, I know exactly where whatever is being discussed
is written in the textbook.
I am not too precise with these notes, since they are just a first rendering of my perception
on that particular chapter.
But I really enjoy having this detailed outline to look at during class.
If you do this step you have two options: either your print out your notes and complete
them by hand during the lecture; or, if you want a very thorough account of your class,
keep them in digital format.
This second option enables you to fill in extra information directly into your notes,
without disrupting their structure or making amends on what you’ve written before.
If you want to know more about how I type my notes, feel free to check out my video
on the subject, linked on the screen and the downbar.
You can use different colors to separate segments from your notes, for example, using a standard
color for your summarized text and adding in any information your professor lectures
in red.
During class, I always try to bring my statute law and compillations so I can immediately
refer back to the law whenever a certain article is mentioned.
In some classes, the legislation we use is so extensive that I usually highlight all
discussed articles so when I flip the pages over I can see right away what rules we have
discussed before.
Since you have summarized all the main key points discussed during class before, now
is the time to really pay attention, understand what is being said and think critically about
what you are being lectured.
Examples and questions are critical to illustrate arguments and the usage of law so I always
write those down and box them out in my notes, so that key information pops out while I am
studying.
There are many ways to take notes during class and prepare for lectures and that was why
I have collaborated with WaystoStudy for this video.
She is going to show you different methods to prepare for your lessons on her channel.
Experimenting with different study techniques is really important to find out what really
works for you so I really recommend you to watch her video as well and try out her method.
I normally never have time to study my notes during the week, since I am more focused on
preparing both lectures and discussion classes and doing all of my reading, but during the
weekend I always save an hour to print all of my notes, hole punch them and file them
in a binder.
In that sense, using a binder is really practical since it enables you to print your materials
as you go, instead of writing a huge document filled with notes and only print them right
before your exams.
It also lets you carry around all of what you’ve learned in a very simple filing system
and you can study anywhere.
When I look back at my notes, I like to highlight some key aspects and key words, like references
to articles, titles, definitions and examples.
I always try to keep highlighting to a minimum, since I always find out that too colorful
notes are way too distracintg and they harm more than do well for me.
The good thing about typed notes is that, when printed, they provide a really clean
layout for you to work with.
If you create your own cornell column in your word processor or leave a wide enough margin,
it also enables you to fill in by hand any important information that you come across
later.
It’s really important to save some time each week to review what you’ve studied
in the past so you don’t lose track of your work.
If you are studying law, for example, it’s really hard to comprehend further chapters
without knowing the basics since chapter 1.
Consolidating your knowledge from the beginning will help you/ achieve better results in the
future and feel more motivated and prepared for future tests and exams.
Also, the studying you do now will keep you from having to cram in the night before the
exam, so it’s all about time management and being organized.
I really hope you have enjoyed this video!
Don’t forget to subscribe and I will see you next week.
Bye!