3.9 Making the Most of Note Taking3.10 Preparing for TestsFreshman Foundations

Essential Questions

What strategies can we use to understand complex material?

How can we improve our note-taking skills and reading retention?

Why Take Notes?

What is the purpose of taking notes?

Why should you take hand written notes?

"When students take notes with their laptops, they tend to mindlessly transcribe the data word for word, like speech-to-text software. But taking notes verbatim is not the point. What is lacking in their note-taking-by-laptop is the synthesis, the re-framing, and the understanding of the information. Students that transcribe with laptops have shallow connections to what's being presented to them. However, those who are taking notes by hand are processing the information and representing it in a way that makes sense to them. They are learning." Anissia Ramirez

Reading for Understanding

Before reading, preview focus questions and/or lesson objectives. Knowing what you should be taking note of is the first step in taking useful notes.

Read all assigned texts employing active reading strategies. This means you are thinking: Who? What? When? Where? How? So What? Why does it matter? What is the significance? New terms and/or vocabulary

Pay attention to questions asked within the text.

Organization

Some of your teachers require that you maintain a notebook which they will grade. Others may simply expect you to keep notes.

When required: Make sure you are following the format the

teacher has laid out. If you are unsure, present your notes to them for review before moving forward.

In all cases, be sure that your notes are legible and useful for you as a study guide.

EXAMPLE

Cornell style 9th grade Biology notes

Preparing For Tests

Alright, you have completed all your readings and assignments. You have taken awesome notes and have engaged in class every day. Great job!

Now, it’s time to demonstrate your knowledge.

Essential Questions

How can we best prepare for tests?

How can we reduce test-related stress and anxiety?

PQRST

Preview: Look over the syllabus, your notes, and your textbook headings and sub-headings

Question: Develop a list of questions to study

Read: read through your notes with the goal of answering the questions. Refer back to your textbook if there are gaps in your notes

State: in your own words, say aloud and/or write down the answers to your study questions.

Test: answer your study questions without looking at your notes.

Use Your Notes to Review

Review your notes frequently!

Recite information from your notes.

Write SUMMARIES of the most important information covered. For example, in history you may want to write a response to the essential question(s) using as many key terms in your response as possible.

Based on your review of your notes, particularly items emphasized in class (if your teacher repeats it – it is probably really important) write anticipated test questions.

Use Other Resources

Quiz yourself using Quizlet Textbook quizzes Relevant apps (i.e. Duolingo)

Study with a partner or in a group Quiz each other!

Stress Reducers for Studying

The more prepared and positive you feel, the more likely you will perform well on your assessments!

When you study…

Exercise. Go for a walk, stretch your muscles.

Take deep breaths and envision a positive, relaxing situation.

Visualize doing well and succeeding in class.

Eat healthy food. Choose good “brain food” such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and low-sugar, low-salt foods. Avoid caffeinated drinks and junk food.

Drink water!

Take breaks. Choose activities that energizing or relaxing. Avoid being distracted with video games and the computer. Apply a 30-10 rule: study for 30 minutes and then take a 10 minute break.

Sleep well. Lack of sleep makes you unfocused.