Taking Effective Notes

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Even before you go to class to listen to a lecture or participate in a class discussion, you need to prepare to take notes. Pay attention to both the logistical and thinking/reviewing skills required for effective note taking:

Logistics:

• Use a loose-leaf binder, not a spiral-bound notebook. (This way you can organize your handouts and exams with your notes.)
• Date and number each page; keep each class separate in the binder.

• Review your notes from the previous class.
• Keep up with your reading/homework so you're not lost when class starts--it's hard to take notes when you're confused.
• Prepare questions for the teacher based on your reading/homework/previous class notes.