

This increases your brain’s ability to recall information on tests. When you read notes out loud, your brain processes information through your eyes (reading), your mouth (speaking), and your ears (hearing). When you read silently, your brain only processes information through your eyes. Review your notes by reading them out loud. Ask your teacher about these items in class the next day.

Highlight items that you do not understand.

Record any information or visuals you remember from class, but did not have time to write down. Then go back and briefly review all notes taken since the last test for each class. Review all new notes within 24 hours of class.
Effective note taking for college students how to#
You also need to know how to use your notes to excel on tests and quizzes: Don’t be stingy with the paper when you are taking notes - there are better ways to save trees. Allot some space to add additional information or to amend notes. Notes are easier to read and study when information is not crammed on each page. Use as much space as you need to create clear notes. Remember, your notes have to make sense only to you. Use the same abbreviations you would use for texting, and create a few more of your own. Write down as little as possible, paraphrasing the teacher’s words when you can. If you miss something, leave a blank space as a place holder and clarify later. When possible, it’s a good idea to draw as you take notes. Keep the back pages of the notebook paper open for adding additional information, or drawing charts, pictures, or symbols. Write down notes whenever your teacher says, “this will be on the test” (put an asterisk next to it), “This is an important point,” or “This is not in your textbook, but it is important” repeats information twice slows down as she speaks to give you time to write uses exaggerated hand gestures or explains the same concept in several different ways. The questions on the left fold become a study guide. Why do this? Turning your notes into questions helps you take in information at a higher level and remember it. Don’t write more than five questions per page. Write notes on the right two-thirds of the page and create summary questions on the left side. It keeps your notes in order, in the event that your binder pops open.įold the left one-third of your notebook paper. It will help you determine which information will be on specific tests and quizzes. Here are my ADHD-friendly tips for taking notes in class:ĭate every page of your notes. A student should admit it when the lecture material is going over his head and ask for clarification. He should be able to distinguish the big picture from insignificant details. A student needs to pay attention and try to understand what the teacher is teaching. Taking notes should be more than writing down information as a teacher is lecturing.
