Note Taking: Effective Note Taking for University Coursework

Academic Survival Guides are a range of short guides designed to simplify all aspects of the academic process. Many learners find themselves handicapped by simply not knowing the rules, guidelines and expectations of the higher education process. These guides help learners gain those skills necessary to get the best from the university experience.

One of the most important skills learners need to develop is the ability to take notes. Not just writing down what is being said but engaging with the note-taking process in an active and productive manner. Notes are a study tool. Effective note-taking means developing the skills to be selective in both research and study.

For many new students the lecture theatre or the seminar room is a new and daunting experience. Unlike school teachers, lecturers will not tell students what to write down. It is up to the learner to take notes. For most this is a new experience.

Note-taking is a vital part of university education. The ability to take effective notes is one of the most important skills a student can have.

Is there a secret to effective note-taking? No. It is an acquired skill - one which we must develop to get the best from our course.

Notes are derived from two main sources:

 from lectures, seminars and tutorials, etc, and;

 from written sources such as books, journal papers and the internet.

Both types of notes are different and fulfil different functions. From books we ‘analyse’ the information available – from lectures we first ‘record’ then ‘analyse’ the information given.

Effective note-taking is not a one-off situation. You will need to develop this skill and use it throughout your time at university. It is one of the ‘must have’ skills. Learn it and use it to your advantage. It can be developed as a learning tool – an integral part of your higher education learning.

This guide takes a direct practical approach to helping you improve your note taking. It breaks down the process by delivering step by step instruction in a focused and practical manner covering the mechanics of the note-taking process.

Note-taking can be either passive or active. This guide highlights different methods of note-taking from a simple linear style to the use of highly active visual styles such as mind-mapping. The guide will help you develop effective note-taking practices and make your studying less stressful and time-consuming.

The suggestions and ‘KEY POINTS’ in this guide will help you to recognise what should, and more importantly, what should not, be included in your notes. It will show you how to use your note-taking as an integral part of your learning process.


Table of Contents

Introduction
What do you want from your notes?
Passive or active

Part 1 4 methods of taking notes
Methods of taking notes

Part 2 Taking notes from lectures
Listening to learn
The Lecture
The lecturer

Part 3 Taking notes from written sources
Productive reading
Prioritise your information

Part 4 The mechanics of writing good notes
The mechanics of writing good notes
Avoiding plagiarism

Bibliography

These academic study guides are designed to appeal to a wide variety of students, particularly those engaged in subjects which rely on the written language in the form of essays, reports, dissertations, reflective journals, etc.