Preparing for Class:

Preparation begins on the first day of class and involves:

 Attendance
 Notetaking
 Motivation
 Goal setting
 Periodic reviews
 Cognition
 Text reading
 Preparation of study aids
 Tutors
 Studying with others

Would you cram for a competition?  If your answer is no, then why would you cram for an exam? 

Lecture Note Taking

1. Be prepared ­ read textbook assignments before class, review previous class notes before class
2. Learn your professor ­ notice the organization of class, look for cues to major points
3. Listen-Think-Write ­ be attentive to what is said, critically evaluate what is said, restate what is said, be selective and use your own words
4. Use proven procedures ­ use a standard notebook (8 _ X 11), separate notes from different courses by using tabbed pages, date notes and number pages

Lecture Note Formats:

Paragraph form ­ little organization, new paragraph when subject changes, likely to copy instructorís statements, tiring to study, hard to read a solid block of material (poorest, but easiest method)

Sentence form ­ a series of numbered statements, best for following unorganized lecturer, difficult to study, major and minor topics are undifferentiated

Outline form ­ use roman numerals, capital letters, etc. to indicate major and minor points, use indentation to identify different levels of subordination, requires thinking and organization to highest degree, almost impossible to copy instructorís lecture word for word, easiest to study, content is logically organized (best method)

Reviewing Lecture Notes:

1. Review lecture notes immediately after class or at least each night
2. Cross reference lecture notes and reading assignments to reinforce learning and to identify material not understood
3. Recite major points covered in lecture to retard forgetting and to check understanding

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