Lecture Notes

As you think about the note taking process, there are some important things to consider that will help optimize your ability to take notes:

1. It may be helpful to review your syllabus before class and complete or skim the readings. Syllabi are often organized by themes and make mention of lecture topics and corresponding readings. This will prepare you for taking notes during the lecture because you’ll have a framework to build on and a sense of what will get covered.
2. Make sure to attend each class! Professors share a lot of valuable information during lectures, including material that is not often covered in a text or an uploaded PPT, so being present in each class is essential. If your professor provides PPTs for each lecture, try to print them out or download them before class begins so you can take notes on the slides.
3. Try to get to class with enough time to find a seat that allows you to easily hear the professor. Being a good note taker depends on your ability to hear the professor, so always try to sit in an area where you can both hear comfortably and see any materials used by the professor, whether that’s a PPT slide, a projector screen, or written materials. Otherwise, if your courses are online, be sure to log on at the correct time.
4. Being a good note taker requires you to be an active listener. It’s very hard to listen and take good notes if you are tired, feel hungry, or distracted. While schedules can get busy, try to get sufficient rest and eat before class. Also, be sure to put your phone away so you are not tempted to reply to text messages, browse the internet, or use social media. If your class meets virtually, do your best to eliminate distractions and close out browsers.
5. Select a note taking system and aim to be consistent. For example, will you plan to take handwritten notes or typed notes with a computer? Each system has different considerations as outlined below. If you plan to use a computer, make sure you can keep up with your professor and take notes that make sense. And, as mentioned above, be sure to focus on the lecture. Do not allow yourself to become distracted by email, social media, or the internet. It may also be a good idea to check your professor’s technology policy to make sure lab tops or tablets are allowed. If you plan to write, stay organized and write clearly. Do your best to keep notes in order and in one place, such as one notebook or section of a notebook or binder.
6. Be flexible with your notetaking system. Sometimes the format you use, whether that’s typing or writing notes, will depend on the course. For example, if you are taking a class where it is helpful to draw arrows or connect different points, you may want to write out your notes. Always ask yourself what method will work best given the course material and understand that you may use different formats for each of your courses.

When professors cover a lot of information in class, it can be hard to know what to write down. However, instructors may provide clues to let you know what is important to take down and study later.  The following are some common clues:

1. Reviews at the beginning of class. Professors may offer reviews at the beginning of class. Sometimes a professor will present an overview of the day’s lecture or highlight important concepts.  Always try to listen carefully and make a quick note that way you have a guide.
2. Material on PPTs, white boards, or black boards. Any material displayed on PPTs, white boards, or black boards is going to be important. Professors don’t just write for their benefit; but for yours!
3. Repetition. Listen for repetition. The more times you hear a certain concept or phrase repeated in class, the likelihood that it is worth knowing.
4. Emphasis. Pay attention to what your professor emphasizes. Some professors will emphasize key terms or information to highlight their significance. You’ll know a professors is using emphasis, by the tone of their voice and gestures. Emphasis can also be judged by the amount of time the instructor spends on points and the number of examples he or she uses.
5. Word signals. Listen for word signals, which is another way professors communicate importance. For example, when your professor uses language like “There are TWO points of view or  The THIRD reason is,” they are revealing multiple important points to make note of.. Or a professor may use summary language, like, “In CONCLUSION” to reveal the big takeaways. You want to make sure you make note of these distinctions and write the appropriate information.
6. Summaries given at the end of class. Finally, professors may share summaries at the end of class. And again, this may be signaled by an “In conclusion” PPT slide or word signal.

Each student will develop a method of notetaking, but most students find the following suggestions helpful:

Format your pages

• Date your notes and write the lecture topic at the top of the page (refer to your syllabus if needed).
• Number your pages.
• Use a system to separate main ideas from supporting information. For example, you could use outline form and indent supporting information or number, letter, underline, star, or circle main ideas. You can also incorporate different color pens or highlighters. These are different ways to format your notes. Use systems for typed or hand written notes.
• Use symbols like question marks for ideas that require more time and attention.
• Use short hand to write quickly.
• Try not to crowd your notes. It may be helpful to leave space after each main idea for extra notes that you may read in your texts or written materials.

Be Organized

• Always keep notes in order and in one place.
• Use the same system to record notes (writing vs typing).
• Write neatly and use pens that you can read easily if hand writing notes.

Be Intentional

• Don’t take notes just to take notes! You want to make sure what you are writing is helpful when you look at them later on. Think a minute about your material before you start making notes.
• Also, take accurate notes. Generally, you will want to use your own words, but try not to change the meaning. If you quote directly from an author, quote correctly. And always note formulas, definitions, and specific facts exactly as they are.

Be Efficient

• Keep your notes short and to the point. Notes should consist of key words or very short sentences. Do your best to avoid writing descriptions and full explanations. Instead, condense your material so you can grasp it quickly. If your professor pauses to answer a student’s question or is taking a moment to load a slide or document, go back and add in any extra information you can. Sometimes its useful to incorporate abbreviations and symbols into your notes, but be consistent.
• Don’t write everything down that you read or hear. Be alert and mindful of the clues described above to identify the main points.
• If you miss a point, don’t stress and keep going. Try to write a few key words and get the information later.  You can always check-in with the professor or TA if you think it is something important. Mark these sections with a question mark or a symbol that signals to you to return to the section.

To complete your lecture notes, there are a few steps to take after class to ensure the notes you take during lecture are strong and beneficial to your studying and learning.

1. Shortly after making your notes, go back and rework (not redo) them by adding extra points and spelling out unclear items. Remember we forget rapidly. Incorporating time to do this will only help you in the long run.
2. Check in with your professor or TA if anything in your notes is unclear.
3. As you read class materials such as articles or texts, combine these notes with your class notes to get a full picture and greater understanding of course concepts and ideas.

Depending on how lectures are organized can impact your note taking approach. Below are some considerations:

1. Does your professor use PPTs for each lecture? If they make them available to students, you may want to print them out before class to bring with you. Print them out in notes format so you have space to write additional notes.  Or you can come up with a numbering system for the slides and takes notes on a separate sheet of paper. If they do not make the PPTs available, use the slides presented in class as guide to help identify main topics. Do not only write what is on a slide as PPTs often highlight the main topics. You’ll still need to fill in the supporting information.
2. Does your professor rely heavily on course readings to structure lectures? If they do, try to skim the readings before class so you can follow along and take sufficient notes. It is very difficult to take notes when you do not know where the conversation is heading.
3. Does your professor present lecture material from different sources each session? Sometimes during lectures professors may present new material that adds to the main topics being discussed in lectures or pull material from the assigned readings. When there are a variety of sources and approaches, your goal is to be engaged and listen! Review the syllabus and skim the readings before class to help identify key concepts and stick to the strategies outlined in this resource.

It may take attending a few classes to get a sense of a professor’s lecture style and approach. Do your best to learn their approach as it will help you with note taking.

The notes you take in lectures become a tool to help with your learning. After completing the steps outlined above and dedicating time to creating strong notes, you want to review them regularly to help achieve lasting memory. This is the only way to make your notes work for you. To help get the most from your notes, aim to follow the 5 R’s of effective note taking as created by Walter Pauk Director of Cornell University’s Reading and Study Skills Center:

1. Record: Document important information in lectures.
2. Reduce: Create summaries of the information in your notes using key words and phrases.
3. Recite: Practice saying out loud the information in your own words and without looking at your notes.
4. Reflect: Think critically and engage with the material in your notes.
5. Review: Build a habit of reviewing your notes regularly and before you start new material.