On Taking Class Notes

I can not emphasize enough the importance of taking good notes for this (and any other) course. By good notes I refer to notes taken every day (thorough) that are well organized and easy to read. You can tell what needs to be included in your notes using the following clues:

Be in class when class begins so you don't miss anything. Then check the syllabus for the "Topic" of the day. You might find an outline or some definitions that are intended for use that day. If there is an outline, use it in your notes. Write down anything instructors say while pointing their finger (making a point), writing on the board, projecting with an overhead, as well as things they repeat or say louder than most things they say (or use some other means of making their point). Concentrate. I know how easy it is to mentally wander away. If you find yourself doing that, try to bring your attention back to the matter at hand in class. If you're thinking about what you have to do later, make a note of it so you can forget about it for the rest of the period. Save and study any handouts distributed in the course. In this course, be sure to visit the course web site and study any definitions, charts, lists, or other materials included. Take notes on in-class interviews and on videos presented in the classroom, unless you are told otherwise. My own experience, and that of many of my students, supports the belief that if you type or rewrite your classroom notes, you will remember what you wrote more completely and for a longer period of time. So, when you get home after class, or at the next most convenient time, rewrite your notes. If you do this soon after the class was held, you may find that you expand upon your notes, adding things you remember from class but didn't have time to write down during the class. The longer you wait to rewrite your notes the more likely you'll start forgetting other things you could have included.

Study Groups:  

One of the keys to any success I had in school was getting together with other students and sharing our classroom notes. I would read my notes from one class period and everyone else would make note of whether the items I mentioned were included in their notes or not and if they were, if they heard the same thing I did when I wrote my notes.  

Then anyone with a correction, addition, or otherwise would comment and we would reach some conclusion as to what the teacher had discussed in class that day. Then the next group member would read his or her notes for the next day and the process would begin again. After an hour or so, we all had a good understanding of what the teacher had been talking about and I think we did better on our tests for the effort.

Introduce yourself to some of the other good people in this class and form a small group, determine a mutually convenient time for a first meeting and take it from there. You might improve your note taking skills, get better grades, and meet some nice people along the way!