1. PLAN: Before Class

2. ACT: During Class

3. REACT: After Class

Dennis Learning Center Note-Taking Strategies – go.osu.edu

1. PLAN: Before Class Review Material to be Covered – read textbook/course material ahead of time (create outline of text to bring to class), review notes

from prior class

Print out notes/PowerPoint slides before class (can add to these during lecture)

Prepare an outline for your notes (example – title/topic for the day, main topics which you know will be covered)

Questions – prepare questions based on reading/prior lectures to ask during class

2. ACT: During Class Key Terms and Concepts – recording key terms to look up later

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition – looking for anything the instructor repeats multiple times (signifies importance)

Brevity is Best – don’t copy word for word; use abbreviations; aim for “most important” facts/details

Organization - organize notes by PowerPoint slide titles; write in bullet-point format, not full sentences or paragraphs; clearly label

sections of notes (by topic, point in lecture, chapter, etc.); date your notes

Make it Interesting & Personal – find interesting points in lecture, tie material to personal life, drink coffee (you gotta be awake to

take notes!), write things in own words, color coordinate – designate key ideas/topics with different colors

Questions – write questions about material in margins (or typed in Word document) to answer later on

Location, location, location – sit wherever you feel most comfortable - in the front to help focus; in the back (where Leah sits!)

Eliminate distractions – turn off wifi; turn off phone; avoid social media; take notes on paper if computer is too distracting

Record It! – record the lecture using smart phone or tape recorder; particularly helpful for ELL/International students

Examples – write down key examples professors give to support/demonstrate material

3. REACT: After Class Seek Help – talk to the Instructor or TA to help identify key concepts, or the “most important” things to focus on during lecture

Clean up – retype or organize lecture notes, adding additional or clarifying information

The Friend Connection – review notes with a friend after class, discuss key concepts with classmates

Questions – make questions for yourself based on covered material

Bite-Sized Pieces – study small portions of notes at a time; re-read after class or before bed

Summarize – write a general summary of notes/today’s lecture

Visualize it – create mind maps or diagrams to help better understand information