As a student in a distance learning environment like ICA, you might not have an opportunity to develop strong notetaking habits. Lecturing and college likely seem like a very distant destination. In fact, over the years, you've probably invented your own sort of shorthand which, although perfectly understandable to you, prevents anyone from understanding your ideas and thoughts.
It has likely served you well through school, but are your notetaking skills ready for college? For many of today's college-bound students whose courses are primarily online, the benefits of notetaking are often overlooked and thought to be overrated.
Most teachers would agree that students do better when they take good notes, regardless of whether students are in a traditional or an online course. As the fall term begins, the time is right to help you develop the habit of taking good notes for your courses and for life.
Why Taking Notes is Important
• The act of taking notes can help students focus on specific material discussed during a lesson.
• When students put information into their own words in notes, it helps them understand the concepts and uncover any areas that need clarification.
• Notes help students remember things better.
• When rewritten or copied, students have a chance to review information a second or third time, which helps retention.
Many college teachers or professors promote notetaking and require students to keep a notebook for their courses. Although many prefer physical notebooks to online notetaking applications, both methods can be effective if properly used.
Notetaking Tips for Students
Taking notes in class is one of the most effective ways to understand the material being presented. Unless you have a photographic mind, you'll need to learn this important skill. Follow these general guidelines1 and you'll be a pro in no time!
1. Come prepared. Always bring enough paper and a writing instrument of your choice (or a computer with word processing software of your choice).
2. Start a new page for each new class. Also, put the date on the top of the first page. Leave lots of room on the page. When writing, leave ample space between ideas.
3. Don't try to write down every word your teacher says. Just write the key points.
4. Use abbreviations for commonly occurring names and words. Use diagrams and pictures where necessary.
5. Review your notes for accuracy. Make sure you understand your own notes (and handwriting)!
There are learning benefits to taking good notes. You can even practice notetaking at church sermons or other speaking events to help develop this skill set for college. You can create simple notebooks for keeping basic information or practice journaling or other specific activities by participating in special projects your ICA teachers may assign.
You may prefer to continue to use the pen and paper method to digital notetaking. There's something about the ability to use the margins to add a thought, the ease with which one can sketch quick diagrams, and the unstructured freedom of movement one gets with a pen that makes it work.
If digital notetaking is more your style, develop your typing skills to accommodate the need to grow this important asset. Both handwritten and digital note taking skills are valuable and should be improved equally. It will help you both in college and in your future career. Start practicing today and make your notes noteworthy!
Do you like handwritten or digital notetaking? How do you develop your notetaking skills as an ICA student?
1Source: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.