Introduction to note-taking
You will often need to take notes in lectures and from books, journals and other learning materials you use during your studies.
Taking notes efficiently and effectively will also give you a record of your learning and is an important resource to look back on.
The benefits of making notes
- Allows you to capture, re-order and understand information
- Allows you to select and remember information
- Helps you think for yourself
- Saves you time by reviewing key words
- Helps you to listen actively
Ideal notes contain
- Source: lecturer, date, title
- Headings: key sections of the lecture
- Key words: points, examples, illustrations, NOT everything
- Some structure: patterns, numbering, arrows, outcomes
- Mnemonic triggers: cartoons, colour, highlighting
- Further reading: people or articles to read
- Connections: how it could be used in your assignment
Problems with linear notes
- Too many notes – you probably never use them again
- If you can’t write/type quickly you might miss part of the lecture
- It promotes plagiarism
- Passive recording of information – not thinking
- All the information looks the same
- Monotonous
- Difficult to review
If using this system, just write key points and use headings to structure.
Reading & making notes – Skills for Study
All University of Lincoln students have access to the learning resource hub Skills for Study, provided by the Library.
Follow this link to the Reading & note-making module.
You will need to login using your University of Lincoln credentials to access this learning resource.
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