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Apr 14, 2009, 12:02 AM
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Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 19,686
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Before the Lecture Begins
- Prepare for the lecture so that you will be more likely to predict the organization of the lecture. Check the course outline to see if the lecturer has listed the topic or key ideas in the upcoming lecture. If so, convert this information into questions.
- If an outline or handout is given out at the beginning of class, skim it quickly. Underline or highlight topic, new vocabulary, key questions and/or main ideas.
- Sit as near to the front of the room as possible to eliminate distractions.
- Have a proper attitude. Listening well is a matter of paying close attention. Be prepared to be open-minded about what the lecturer may be saying, even though you may disagree with it.
- Have extra pencils sharpened and ready, or extra lead for mechanical pencils in case a pencil breaks during the lecture.
- Write down the title of the lecture, and the date.
During the Lecture - Listen carefully to the introduction (if there is one). By knowing this outline, you will be better prepared to anticipate what notes you will need to take. Decipher this outline by listening for:
- A topic for each section.
- Supporting points or examples for the topic.
- Copy what's written on the whiteboard, especially the outline. To make sure that you get everything, get in the habit of skipping words like "the" and "a" and make use of shorthand and abbreviations. Summarize your notes in your own words, not the instructor's. Remember: your goal is to understand what the professor is saying, not to try to record exactly everything he or she says.
- Recognize main ideas by signal words that indicate something important is to follow. See the tip on signals below.
- Jot down details or examples that support the main ideas. Take down examples and sketches which the lecturer presents. Indicate examples with "e.g." Give special attention to details not covered in the textbook.
- If there is a summary at the end of the lecture, pay close attention to it. You can use it to check the organization of your notes. If your notes seem disorganized, copy down the main points that are covered in the summary. It will help in revising your notes later.
- At the end of the lecture, ask questions about points that you did not understand.
After the Lecture - Revise your notes as quickly as possible, preferably immediately after the lecture, since at that time you will still remember a good deal of the lecture. Also it is a good idea to reread your notes within 24 hours of the lecture. It may be a good idea to rewrite or type your notes to make them clearer and more organized.
- Review the lecture notes before the next lecture.
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