Hi there!
Welcome back to our channel!
For those of you who don't know me,
I'm Cath Anne host of
The Homework Help Show as presented
by Homework Help Global.
We are
about three weeks out before
school is back in session
and maybe some of you are already
visiting your new campus.
So, this week we wanted to provide
you with some information on how to
take effective notes
and get you ready for going back
to class.
As some of you may know,
taking notes in university
and college is much different
than taking notes in high school.
Perhaps you didn't get the skill of
taking notes in high school
and now you're looking for some pointers.
Are you ready for university?
Today we're going to give you those pointers.
We will look at how you can
prepare for class to get ready
to take effective notes.
We'll look at some specific notetaking
techniques
and then we'll talk about how to best
use those notes in your study.
So we hope this session will
be of benefit to you.
Let's jump in.
The first step towards taking good
notes is to prepare for class
ahead of time.
If your professor has provided you
with a syllabus, use that
to become familiar
with the topic
or topics which will be covered that
day.
Prepare further by
taking time to skim
or read the required readings
for that day.
When you read the information
about a topic prior to going
to class you are
more likely to
retain the information the professor
introduces.
You will already have the knowledge
of the material
and you'll know what to expect.
You'll know what will be discussed
and you will be prepared to
engage with the material which in
the long term is going to help
you to retain that information.
Of course before you attend class
it is essential to make sure that
you pack all the things which you need
to be successful.
These are things like books,
pens,
pencils, and notebooks.
It seems obvious
but they are needed supplies
for class.
You might also want to
bring your laptop if that is something
that you find helpful.
You may also want to pack some water.
Make sure you have a reusable water bottle,
be environmentally
conscious.
You might also consider a snack: something high
fat with complex carbs
to make sure you are both
well hydrated
and well fueled.
While you're in class try to maintain
a positive mindset.
Your brain will thank you later
when you're able to recall more information
as you were studying.
So one way that you can do this
is take five minutes before class
to do a five minute meditation
to prime your brain for notetaking
and learning.
When you're in that positive mindset you're
more apt to absorb the information
that's provided in the lecture.
So we're all ready for
class.
Now let's discuss how to
take the best notes.
There are a variety of techniques
out there; you may have seen some online.
We encourage you to try a variety
of approaches
and use which one works best for you.
Before we get into the
different types of notetaking let's discuss
whether or not to use your computer
or to take notes manually.
Although the computer may seem like
a faster way to jot down
what the professor is discussing,
research has
proven that using a pen
and paper assist
with retention.
Depending on your approach to learning
you may choose either of these methods,
whatever works best for you.
However,
if you're easily distracted I
would recommend sticking to
the tried and true good old
pen and paper method.
Just to avoid the tendency to
browse on Facebook
or jump into Minesweeper.
Maybe I'm dating myself there but,
jump into another game
online instead of listening to the lecture.
Let's get into the specific
notetaking techniques.
The Outline Method.
To use the Outline Method,
make five headings
or topics you know will be covered
in class.
Under each heading make bullet points
which include subtopics
and information as provided in
the professor's lecture.
This is a simple straightforward
way to take notes.
However, it can be difficult to review
notes later if you choose this method.
This is my preferred method of
taking notes.
I find it the easiest
and least cluttered.
The best way to review notes if
you are using this method is to quiz
yourself using each topic
before reading your notes.
What you do is take the recorded
topic, then
confirm your knowledge by reading
your notes.
Review what you do know in your head
and then move on
and read your notes.
That will reinforce the information
and keep it in your brain a little longer.
The second technique is flow
notes.
I really like this approach as well.
It is more of a holistic method,
which includes flow
notes.
So, basically what that means is when
you use flow notes method you are readily
engaging with the material,
which helps you to retain the information.
So, rather than simply taking
notes and regurgitating the professor's
lecture on paper
you are attempting to engage
with the material by drawing arrows,
doodles, and thoughts as you
intake information.
You also may want to make connections
between material
you are learning
and information you already know.
So, if you know a fact about sociology
that the professor is discussing
then you might want to write that in the margins
of your notes and that will help you to remember
what the professor is discussing.
This will also help
with retention,
as mentioned. So,
this is a wonderful
option for taking notes.
If you are lucky enough to have
one of those professors who
uses those PowerPoint
slides.
This is probably one of the easiest yet
still effective approaches to taking notes.
Make use of these papers.
So, they usually have
the printouts on them
and they have the pictures of the slides
and they also have the lines
of beside of the PowerPoint slide.
Make use of them by writing notes
as you engage with the material.
Try using the techniques offered above.
Like the flow notes technique
or even the topic outline technique
in combination
with your slide notes so that you do remember
some information.
So, those are three wonderful
ways that you can make
use of taking notes in the classroom.
Now let's move onto how do you
use the notes that you've taken in
order to enhance your learning?
One of the most
important pieces of advice here is
to make sure you review your
notes 24 hours
after the time you've written them.
So,
have completed your class,
you want to,
at least, within the first 24
hours review
your notes at least once.
This will help to solidify the information
in your brain.
Second, rather than waiting for exam
time to review your notes,
make sure to go over them frequently.
Avoid cramming.
Reviewing your notes on a consistent basis
will help you in the long run because information
will be cemented in your brain.
A third tip is to notice repetition.
When you're doing your readings
have your notes close by.
If you notice a theme in the readings
and your professor mentioned it in class.
It will likely be on the exam.
So, make a note
of repetitions like this
and recall it so that you will be
prepared for the exam.
So, those are my three tips
and my three offerings for how
to take effective notes.
That is it for this week,
my friends.
We hope this information was of
benefit to you.
Best of luck as you jump back
into student life
and college life
and make sure that you jump on
with me on Instagram
and Facebook live.
We have changed our livestream to every
Monday evening at 7:00p.m.
Eastern Standard Time.
If you have a moment please jump on
and we can have a quick chat.
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See you soon guys.
Take care.