How To Spice Up Your Lecture Notes For Better Grades
When taking notes on a lecture, there are two extremes that
present themselves -- to take exceedingly full notes, or to take
almost no notes. One can err in either direction. At first, a
full blow-by-blow transcript of the lecture might seem best.
However, you'll find that this isn't necessary. In fact, you
might see that this style of note-taking might end up hampering
your efforts. Many lecturers will highlight your assigned
reading the night before. This isn't worth writing down twice,
as you should have taken notes on your reading yourself. If you
occupy your attention with the task of copying the lecture
verbatim, you do not have time to think, but become merely an
automatic recording machine.
This is good news for those of you that transcribe your class
time! Experienced stenographers say that they form the habit of
recording so automatically that they fail utterly to comprehend
the meaning of what is said. You as a student cannot afford to
have your attention so distracted from the meaning of the
lecture. Therefore, you should REDUCE your classroom writing to
a minimum.
Probably the chief reason why students are so eager to secure
full lecture notes is that they fear to trust their memory. Such
fears should be put at rest, for your mind will retain facts if
you pay close attention and make logical associations during the
time of impression. Keep your mind free, then, to work upon the
subject-matter of the lecture. Debate mentally with the speaker.
This is called Active Listening.
Question your professor's statements, comparing them with your
own experience or with the results of your study. Ask yourself
frequently,