Note takers, how do you get everything written down? Suggestions?

Question

Hi I'm curious as to how I can be an effective better note taker in class as the other note takers. I don't write very fast to get everything the instructor said, and i can't afford a laptop computer. Suggestions? Or am I being too hard on myself?

Answer 1

Don't count on others' notes. What they may already know (and therefore might not write down), you may not know and may need for a test. Also, if they have a system of taking notes (abbreviating, etc), the notes will be very hard for you to understand. Plus, you never know if they just wrote down the wrong thing.

I abbreviate everything. Most of the time, I just drop the vowels (unless I wouldn't be able to tell what the word should be without a vowel or two). I usually get into a system where I know which word it is based on the class I'm in.

Example:
Abbrev evrythg.
Most o t time, jst drop t vowels (unless wouldn't b able 2 tell wht t wd should b wo a vowel or 2).
Usually get n2 a syst whr kno whch wd it s basd on t clss I'm n.

It takes a while to get used to thinking like that though. (Takes while 2 get usd 2 thkg like tht tho.)

Gd luck!

Answer 2

Depending on the class... notes can be very important.

Some people are just better note takers then others.
We all have different skill levels... It can often feel defeating to compare oneself to others in ways you don't measure up...
When I need to accomplish a task that is difficult for me, I first try & figure out what the problem is... Then I make a list of ideas things I can do to improve the situation... Last I pick the one that seems like it will work for me. If that idea turns out to suck, I go back to my list an pick another one...

Sometimes people have difficulty in note taking because they either not properly taught it during their elementary & jr high school years or they may have some trouble with oral processing of information.

To get better notes:
1. Talk to the instructor & see if you are taking the right & nessarary notes in class... (That your not trying to go over board in your note taking...) You can also see if the instructor provides any study sheets or note outline guides for the class...
2. Either borrow notes or study with a class mate who takes better notes then you...
3. Buy a book or look up information on the internet on effective note taking or "tricks" to note taking...
4. Buy a small (pocket sized) tape recorder for $20.00-$30.00 & record your classes. Then later review the tape or parts of it to complete your notes.

Good Luck

Answer 3

When I was in High School, I wrote my notes in l33t. That way, only I could understand them (the net wasn't popular then, and only hackers, pirates, and the BBS modding/art scene used it), and it eliminated half of a sentence worth of letters, thereby nearly doubling my notetaking speed. My teachers weren't too thrilled at my notes, however, because they couldn't read them either.

I also skipped unimportant words like "the", "it", "he/she/they", "said", etc. I replaced any possible words with appropriate symbols (the double lined "P" for paragraphs, a three with a line down the middle for "and", etc). I also abbreviated all names by an initial after its first use. I also ignored spaces, certain vowels, and punctuation when not necessary

Example:
On Saturday, Mike went to the store, while Marvin went hiking. Mike bought some candy, and withdrew money from the bank. Meanwhile, Marvin found some Redwoods. When they spoke once again, Marvin asked, "Why couldn't you go with me? It's too late to go exploring now."

Sat. mike wnt store.marvin wnt hike.mi got cndy&$.ma fnd Rdwud.ma "y u stay? 2 l8 2 go".

It is completely illegible, but after reading it a few times later on, the main ideas of what was said and/or done will become clearer.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

I have to take down phone messages at work. Take a short hand class or invest in a tape recorder. I write down shortcuts like the word "for" I use the number 4 or for the word "you" I just use u the word "forgot" I use 4gt. Hope that this helps.

Answer 5

You're being way too hard on yourself. Abbreviate words any way possible with still being able to understand what you wrote.
Ex: The (Th), constant (const), etc. Try this for a day or two and see how much faster you are able to take notes.

Answer 6

each time i'm being taught a clean interest ,I take notes and ask questions. many circumstances you're taught by making use of somebody who's fairly good on the interest he/she is coaching you ... yet they are actually not experienced instructors ... so which you get each and every of the concepts you may from this individual ... then you definately pass and get your adventure . jointly those issues gets you thru .. endure in innovations even after your formal practise is achieved , the boss is conscious you desire adventure to get it suitable , to do it his way. NO. i'm not terrified of the approach .. i've got found out to handle it.

Answer 7

Some one in your class probly takes excellent notes...hook up with them and copy or use them to make your notes...most people are not afraid to share..and its not cheating or anything, its just classmates helping fellow classmates..!! I had to do this in College Psychology, and it helped me pass!!

Answer 8

Take a class in shorthand. Doctors do this. It helps.

Answer 9

write in bullet points.

miss out small words. eg. 'put glass on table' (put the glass on the table)

dont bother too much about your handwriting... as long as you can read it, its fine!