Tips for taking notes

Strategy #1 ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations allow you to write down more information with the use of fewer letters, ultimately saving you time and allowing you to focus on what is being said, as opposed to spending time on just writing. There is no one “right” way to make abbreviations. Do what makes sense to you and saves you time.

Common types of abbreviations are

  • acronyms (e.g., CBA = cost-benefit analysis),
  • first letters (e.g., P = psychology),
  • shortened words (e.g., reg = registration),
  • words with reduced vowels (e.g., explntn), and
  • symbols as abbreviations (e.g, -> = leads to).

Strategy #2 Active Note-Taking

Taking effective notes is a process of actively listening to what the lecturer says and taking down key information. Because it’s impossible (and not always useful) to write down everything your instructor says, people use various strategies for taking notes and organizing them afterward. In this video, you will learn key tips about how to listen for instructor emphasis, put information in your own words, focus on key information, and stay engaged in the lecture.

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