9 Best Tips to Take Lecture Notes in Class: Ultimate Guide for College and University Students

How to take lecture notes in class? 

Seriously, taking handy notes in class is a crucial factor for academic success in college and university. But a lot of students don’t care a fig. keenly taking notes during class can help you focus and better understand main concepts. Here I am mentioning 9 best strategies to take lecture notes in an effective way from my personal experience.

 

1. Read the Chapter Before the Lecture

You’ll get more out of attending class lectures if you read the chapter (or at least skim through it) before the lecture. You’ll build background about the topics, get a sense of how the material is organized, and become familiar with important names and technical terms, which will help you better understand the lecture and take better notes.

 

2. Review Your Notes from the Last Lecture

As you’re sitting in class waiting for your professor to begin, take a few minutes and review the last set of notes you took. Most course instructors pick up just where they left off at the end of the last class. Your review will help you get a better sense of how the new information is connected to what you already have in your notes.

 

3. Sit in the front of the Classroom

There are many advantages to sitting in the front of the classroom. The obvious ones are that you’ll see and hear better, but you’ll also find that you tend to be more actively involved in the class when you sit near the front. You’ll also find that you have many fewer distractions, so you’ll be able to concentrate more on the lecture.

 

4. Be an Active Listener

Getting involved in the lecture is essential for understanding the material you’re hearing. Pay attention and tell yourself you want to listen. Participate by asking and answering questions in class and taking notes.

 

5. Take Notes

If you’re a new college student, you may think that sitting back and listening carefully to the lecture will help you learn the material. That may be true; however, you won’t be able to remember it. You must take notes so you’ll have a record of the information from which to study.

 

6. Write Down Main Points and Details

As you take notes, listen for the main points (topics) that your instructor is presenting and write them next to the margin. Then indent a little and write down as many details as you can. Until you learn more about how to take lecture notes, just write as much as you possibly can during each class.

 

7. Record lectures on your Smartphone

If you’re a slow writer or struggle a bit with taking notes, get your Smartphone ready out of your pocket and immediately start recording lectures. Believe me this is a good back-up in case you’re worried about missing anything.

 

8. Edit Your Notes After the Lecture 

As soon as possible after the lecture, edit your notes. Think back to the lecture, use your textbook, or get together with a classmate or study group to fill in gaps, check for accuracy, clarify meaning, and improve the organization in your notes. Write questions about the important information in the margin of your notes.

 

9. Review Your Notes

At the end of the week and before exams, you need to review your notes to put the information into long-term memory and to keep it accessible. Instead of reading over your notes, write or recite the information using the headings and questions in the margin as cues.

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