logo
GVP Home * About Us * Advertising * Distribution (Where to Find Us) * Contact Us

 

8 Great Note Taking Tips

By taking better notes using these great tips can help your teen to more efficient study time.

1. Write Legibly. If you cross out material a lot, use an erasable pen or write in pencil. Don't take notes in paragraph form; take notes in one-liners instead, and skip a line in between ideas.

2. Check the Board. When your teacher writes something on the board or projects it, that's a signal that the information is important, so be sure to copy it all down.

3. Listen for Cues. Don't try to write everything down. When you hear "the reasons why…" or "here is how…" or a change in your teacher's tone of voice, it indicates that something noteworthy is being said. Write down dates, names, definitions, formulas, and why they are important.

4. Use Abbreviations. Just like text messaging, abbreviations let you write more quickly. Condense a word or phrase into initials, or use a symbol. For instance, use b/c for because; w/ for with; w/o for without; 2 for two, to, or too, and gov't for government. Be sure you use the same abbreviations for the same words and phrases so you'll immediately know what they stand for.

5. Use Margins. In the margins, draw arrows or stars next to important information like dates, names and events to call your attention to material later when you review.

6. Fill in the Gaps. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher, fellow classmates, or refer to your textbook to help fill in missing names, dates, facts and other information you couldn't write down or were not clear on.

7. Highlight. Use a highlighter or a different color of ink to highlight, underline or circle important words and phrases.

8. Stay Organized. Be sure that the class name, date and that day's topic is at the top of your notes. If the lecture is related to a chapter in the textbook or a handout, write that down at the top as well. Keep notes for the same class together, along with any handouts.

 

 

   
home
guides
archive
calendar
campfair
news
exchange

local linksresources

+ October 2006

By Cathy Keller Brown

Parents may have heard the words too many times.
“Nobody reads before class.” “There’s no way I could ask questions in class
without completely embarrassing myself.” “I can only study for a test by cramming the night before.” “I don’t have time for school—I have to work, and I’m involved in extracurricular activities.”

These are all reasons high school students give for not working hard in school. Many fall into the trap of waiting until the last minute and just not thinking about what they are learning. Then, they start applying to college, realize their grades won’t get them into the school they want to go to, and wish they had studied more and paid attention in class.
Rather than waiting until it’s too late, your teen should improve study habits now. There’s never a better time than right now for them to adopt a few new habits that will make life better in the long run.

Think Actively
It’s easy to read and listen passively, highlighting lines of text or jotting down notes quickly. Your teen might be sitting in class, partially absorbing what’s being said while really thinking about plans for the weekend. But if students can focus more on what’s being read or heard, they will waste less time, and create an opportunity to learn and prepare for tests and papers.
The next time your teen reads for a class, they should really think about what they’re reading and engage with it. Students should skim it once to get a sense of the overall message and then try to rewrite that main point in their own words. Then they can write down any questions about what is being said. If the author is making an argument, your teen might ask what evidence the author is using to make his/her point. If the work is more factual and straightforward, there may be questions about the connections between the pieces of information being given, such as whether there is a cause/effect relationship between the events being described. Then, students should re-read again more slowly and try to answer the questions.
Encourage your teen to try to really listen in class and follow what the teacher is saying. Rather than writing down every word, which can be distracting itself, students should write down the points that seem most significant. They should keep in mind that the instructor will likely repeat key points.

Preview and Preparation
This one is easy but important. Before class, students should take five or ten minutes to get up to date. They can review any notes taken while reading the assigned chapter or article as well as notes from the previous day’s class. It only takes a few minutes for students to prepare for class, and it can be done while eating breakfast or in the five minutes before class starts. Those few minutes will help your child feel confident, prepared, and engaged during class time.

Study for Tests Every Day
It wasn’t until I had my first all-nighter and delivered my worst-ever performance on a test that I realized the importance of being prepared and learning class material slowly and steadily. It’s tempting to cram, but those hours are chaotic. Instead, students should try to carve out short periods of time each week—maybe just 20 to 30 minutes—for each class. They can use that time to review class notes, notes from their reading, and any other pertinent materials.

Keep Up with Assignments
Your teen should keep a calendar that details what’s due in each class and take a few minutes to plot out a schedule for completing each assignment, writing down each step so that he or she doesn’t get behind.
“Improving study habits also includes planning and spreading out your study schedule,” says Chris Gietler, school counselor at Canandaigua Academy. For example, if a research paper is due in one class, students should write into the calendar when a topic is due and when to begin the research process. If this is done for each assignment, no matter how small, time management will improve. Your teen just has to be sure that he actually refers to the calendar frequently and makes time to accomplish each day’s goals. This will have a lasting impact on learning too.
“Using a schedule will help your child with long term learning retention as well,” explains Gietler.

Talk to Your Teacher
If your teen is struggling, it’s far more efficient for him to discuss questions directly with the teacher than to labor through and try to work it out alone. Of course, this only works if your child has begun studying in advance and actually has specific questions and issues to discuss. In addition to helping your teen become well equipped to succeed in the class, talking with the teacher will help him get to know the instructor and will demonstrate motivation and interest in the class. Students benefit from that relationship when they need a recommendation for college from someone familiar with their work.
It may seem daunting to incorporate all of these new habits at once, so start small. Have your child focus on one habit at a time, and once they’ve got that one down, encourage them to adopt another one. When steps become habits, your teen will likely find it’s much easier to manage school life. And when academics are managed effectively, your child will most likely free up more time for their social life for a healthy and well balanced experience.

Cathy Keller Brown is a freelance writer.

Be A Better Student