Peak Performance:
Success In College And Beyond
Chapter 5
Listen And Take Effective Notes
Chapter Objectives
Become an
attentive listener
Utilize effective
note-taking strategies
Take notes in
alignment with your learning style
Describe the
various note-taking systems
Success Principle 5
Focus
on the MESSAGE,
not
the presentation.
Listening To The Message: Attentive
Listening Strategies
Prepare to listen
Be willing to listen
Be open to new ideas
Position yourself to listen
Reduce distractions
Look as if you are listening
Listening To The Message: Attentive
Listening Strategies
Stay attentive
Be quiet
Stay focused
Listening To The Message: Attentive
Listening Strategies
Show empathy, respect, and genuine interest
Observe the speaker
Predict and answer questions
Integrate learning styles and use all your senses
Postpone judgment
Dont get caught up in drama
Listening To The Message: Attentive
Listening Strategies
Review what you
have heard
Paraphrase
Assess
Practice with awareness
Recording The Message
Note taking is not a passive act of simply
writing down words. It is a way to order and arrange thoughts and materials to
help you remember information.
Prepare:
Considering Your Goals
Organize:
Getting the Tools of Notetaking Together
Work:
ProcessingNot Copying Information
Evaluate:
Thinking Critically About Your Notes
Rethink:
Activating your Memory
Prepare: Considering
Your Goals
Identify the
instructors goals and your goals for the courseRead the Syllabus
Complete
assignments before coming to class
Be prepared to
listen to a lecture
even if the instructor is not the best lecturer
Review the
previous class notes
Choose a seat in
the classroom where you can see and hear
Organize: Get the Tools of Notetaking Together
Bring
the appropriate writing utensils and paper to class
Choose
the right type of notebook (loose-leaf usually preferred)
Write
on only one side of the page
Take
textbook to class
Consider
taking a laptop computer to class
Work: Processing
Do not Copy Information
Active
listening is different from hearing
Listen
for key ideas
Search
for the meta-message
Listen
for repetition
Look
for nonverbal signals
Use
short phrases, not sentences for notes
Take Notes in Outline Form
I. Key Concept
A.
Main Idea
1. Supporting Idea
2. Supporting Idea
a. Specific details
b. Specific details
Outline a Lecture
Copy
information from board or overhead
Use
different notetaking techniques for class discussions
Listen
carefully during discussions for important ideas
Pay
attention to instructors summary
Ask
questions
Improving Notetaking
Getting Over Stage Fright
Sit
in front of room
Write
down question before you ask it
Participate
early in the semester by asking questions
Dont
wait for someone else to ask the first question in class
Evaluate: Think Critically about Your Notes
Do
your notes represent what was covered in class?
Do
they reflect the emphases of the instructor?
Are
there any key points that are not clear?
Do
any points need to be clarified?
Rethink: Activate Your Memory
Transfer
information from short- to long-term memory by rethinking the class lecture
Use
the 2 ½ inch column on the left-hand side of the page to jot down keywords,
significant points, major concepts, controversies, and questions
Create
study notes that summarize key points
Use
flashcards
The Cornell System of Note Taking
Logical
Sequential
Step-by-step
Notes
Cues
Summary
Rethink: Activate Your Memory
How
many times have you said, I dont need to write it down, Ill remember it?
How
many times have you remembered the information?
Mind Maps
Visual
Holistic
Associations and
patterns
Main idea in center
Branches with subtopics
Concept Mapping
Taking Notes as You Study
Highlight,
underline, circle and make notes in the margin of your text
Make
flash cards (online courses often include these cards)
For
magazines or library books, copy down key ideas, definitions, formulas in
outline or concept mapping form
Recording The Message
Combination Note-Taking Systems
Highlighting
Organizing
Comparing
Contrasting
Looking for
patterns
Note-Taking Strategies
Preview the
material
Go to every class
and pay attention
Be on time
Sit up front
Use all your
senses
Make note taking
active and physical
Link information
Use creative
shorthand and focus on key words
Organize your
notes
Use note cards
Expand on notes
from others
Use your laptop
Assess and Review Your Notes
Summarize in your
own words
Edit and revise
your notes
ό Review as soon as possible
ό Review within 24 hours
ό Review often
Create a sample
test
Use visual cues
Review your notes
Monitor and
evaluate
Overcome Obstacles
Find meaning and interest
Observe
Listen
Organize
Think
Recording The Message
Record
Review, revise, and practice
Evaluate
Teach
Reward
Peak Performance:
Success In College And Beyond
Chapter 5
Listen And Take Effective Notes