New Student Orientation Resource Book

1. Listen actively.

2. Raise questions if appropriate.

3. Take and keep notes in a large notebook

4. Use only one side of your paper. Draw a vertical line 2 ½ inches from the left side of your paper. This is the recall column. Notes will be taken to the right of this margin. Later key words or phrases can be written in the recall column.

5. Leave a few spaces blank as you move from one point to the next so you can fill in other points later if necessary.

6. Do not try to write everything the instructor says. Spend more time listening and attempt to take down the important points. Be alert to cues about what the instructor thinks is important.

7. Copy down everything on the board, regardless.

8.   Sit as close to the front as possible. There are fewer distractions, and it is easier to hear, see and attend to important material.

9.   Explain key terms in your notes.

10. List main ideas.

11. List major supporting ideas but not minor ones.

12. After the lecture, read through your notes and use the recall column to job down ideas or key words which give you the idea of the lecture.

13. When reviewing for a test, overlap your notes showing only the recall columns and you have your review.

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