How to write good notes in class

Idahor Kehinde Oluwagbemisola

How many of us have been in a lecture hall where our bodies are physically present but our minds have travelled far. Of course, we are looking at the lecturer and making eye contact but all he is dictating in class passes one ear and goes through the other.

Why? Because, we can’t seem to match the lecturer’s pace when he is dictating,And if we dare tell him to repeat himself, the class can’t make progress.

So, what do we do? We while away time by occupying our minds with past and upcoming activities, whilst wasting our own time.

But, what if I tell you, that you can be a good note taker.

I mean, you can take meaningful notes that you can later on study with.

Firstly, research shows that students who take notes by hand, using pen and paper, tend to retain more information than those who type using computers.

Writing notes during lectures doesn’t have to be hard.

The first step in note taking, is finding a good sitting position, at a range where you can easily hear the voice of the lecturer.

Secondly, the importance of having a pen can not be over emphasized.

Coming to class without your writing materials is like a farmer going to the farm without his tools.

Additionally, listen attentively don’t just hear the words. Listen to understand and write in your own words, this would help retain the information quickly.

Don’t write everything you hear, write down only key and relevant ideas.

Furthermore, maintain good spacing when writing.

Poor spacing would make the notes look clustered. A good spacing helps for easier revision.

Also,if you didn’t get a particular line or sentence, move on and at the end of the class, refer to your course mates notes to fill in the gaps.

Additionally, make use of maps, boxes, headings and sub-headings, graphs, flowcharts etc

If you have any questions, or contribution write it in the margins. When it’s time to ask questions or make contributions, give it a go.

With the above tips, I assure you that you would be able to write lecture notes better and more effectively.