Having good notes from lectures is half the battle in the studying process. By simply writing you can remember material and organising your notes properly for any exam will be a piece of cake.
Everyone has a different technique when it comes to studying; you have to find what works best for you.
Find a Good Spot in a Classroom
It’s not hard to figure out that you will hear better sitting in the front row that in the last one. Be smart and try to arrive early to have more options. If you sit closer, you won’t have as many distractions and your level of focus will increase significantly.
The majority of the lectures take place in the centre of the classroom, by sitting in the front; you don’t run the risk of missing something important.
Buy the Right School Supplies
Students have different techniques to take notes. If you enjoy using your laptop, make sure you always have a charger with you, in case the battery runs low.
However, if you’re more into jotting things down, always keep additional pens and pencils with you. To make your notes more clear use highlighters or post-it flags. They will help you organise the information.
Always make sure you have extra blank sheets and space in your binder. Having separate folders for different lectures could also be a good idea. Whatever you do, always remember that preparation is the key to successful studying.
Use Your Own Code
Don’t worry too much about your writing style. You’re taking the notes for your own benefit. As long as you’re able to decode your abbreviations and symbols, that’s the only thing that matters.
If English is not your first language you may struggle a bit, especially in the beginning. The solution is to take your time and listen carefully. All international students go through this process and usually after a few classes they become more accustomed.
Use the margins to jot down additional information. Use tables, block letters or even exclamation marks if you find them useful. In the end, it’s all up to you.
Review and Adding Information
After class sits down and double-check your notes. This would be a good time to add a few lines that you’ve missed before.
You will want to make additional notes as quickly as possible. The longer time you wait after lectures, the less you will remember. It’s always better to write something down when it’s fresh in your mind.
When you start preparing for the exam, you will be very grateful for good quality notes. The ability to choose important information is a very useful skill. Good notes will also reduce your study time and make your life less stressful.