make up abbreviations (for example, aa for amino acid) use symbols like @ and = or arrows. use etc., i.e., stuff like that. all those tips will make you be able to write faster. make bulleted lists or outlines as you write.

for some classes I just had to use a tape recorder, like history. I would just sit and listen and then transcribe the tape after class because it was just soooo much info.

I find by skimming the material a couple times it sinks in better. I also generally use the study guides to help with knowing what to study. I think study skills are more important than note-taking skills. These days I don’t take many notes, I use an MP3 recorder and re-listen to the lecture.

As for note-taking:

One – I would recommend getting a lap top. Most younger people tend to type faster than they can write. If your college doesn’t allow laptops in the classroom, I suggest finding a different college to attend.

Two – Ask your professor about using a voice recorder to record lectures to transcribe into notes at a later time. Some professors do not like that, so you may want to use an MP3 recorder, the iRiver is perfect for this. I never asked professors; I simply laid it in front of me.

Three – Look into taking a course or workshop on note-taking.

Four – Ask your professor if he/she provides lecture notes.

Five – If you have a learning disability, the college should provide you with some assistance. A designated note-taker would be an example. I did this for a visually impaired student in one of my classes. It felt good to help him and I also received a $25 gift certificate for the college store for doing it, what a surprise to me.

Six – Ask a fellow classmate if you may borrow thier notes. You may have to ask a couple students and figure out which one takes better notes. A study group is a great way to learn how to take better notes as you will be able to see examples and compare them.

Hope this helps!!

Don’t worry about writing down things that are very specific pieces of information unless you actually believe you will need to know it on the test. Learn how each professor is and you should usually be able to predict how specific of information you will need to know.

Also don’t write down EXACTLY what the professor says. It may help to sit there and listen to a certain thought/point the professor is making and then write down a detailed summary of what he said, so that you get the main points of his lecture.

Finally, don’t be afraid to pair up with a friend after class or before a test and compare notes. You are sure to have written down something that the other missed and can help each other out.

Why? Because I was spending so much time transcribing and making a point to write stuff down so I could “figure it out later” that I actually missed what was being told to me.

When I stopped taking notes, and just listened, I found I did MUCH better. I understood. I asked questions if I needed to.

If I was an automaton and just transcribed everything, I’d have notes, but no insight.

Some notes are okay, but don’t write down stuff you can already find out in books and stuff. Listen instead. Only write down the rare things that they really want to emphasize. Make a point to understand and listen. It makes a huge difference. My grades easily went up from C’s to A’s once I just started to listen and understand, rather than transcribe and try to figure it out later.

Happy Studying!

works for me.