Taking notes is an essential skill in university. Effective notes will help you actively recall information and engage in course materials. Here are some strategies to help you get started.
- Recognize the qualities of effective notes
- Follow the 3-step notetaking strategy
- Practice the SQ4R method
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Evidence of effective notes
It’s easy to write down a couple of notes and feel prepared for your classes, but when you revisit these notes, you may notice that they are not as helpful as they once seemed. Here are some qualities of effective notes.
3-step strategy for taking effective notes
The 3-step note taking strategy is an effective approach to help you focus and understand what you are reading; paragraph by paragraph or slide by slide.
Practice the SQ4R method
The SQ4R method improves your ability to understand, concentrate, and retain what you read, allowing you to take notes effectively.
1. Scan or survey
Quickly read or look through the text to get a sense of what it is about. Look out for key terms or concepts.
2. Question
Try making questions for headings, subheadings or key concepts. This makes for a more active reading process.
3. Read and record
Read each section by focusing on main points and change them into your own words in bulleted or short form.
4. Recite
Cover the text and see if you can answer the questions to the headings you created earlier. This checks for understanding before moving on
5. Review
If time permits and after a break, review your notes before class of course. This checks your understanding of the text and improves your memory
To learn more about this topic and to get help
Book a free in-person or online appointment with a Centre for Academic Communication academic coach!