Tips for Improving your

Listening and Note-taking Ability

Put a check in the first column next to the suggestions that are already part of your note-taking system.
Put a check in the second column next to suggestions that you think are good ideas and that you want to begin doing.

I already This sounds 1

do this. like a good
Things you can do to improve your note-taking skills
idea.

1. Review the notes from the previous class while you wait for the lecture to begin.

2. Choose a seat away from distractions, near the front, away from talkative friends, and with the cell phone
off.
3. Be an engaged listener. Agree or disagree (silently) with the speaker. Judge the content of the talk, not
how it is delivered. If you have questions about the content, either ask your questions during the lecture, if
appropriate. Put your opinions and questions in your notes to refer to later. Dont tune out if the lecture is
difficult to understand; challenge yourself and dont give up.

4. If English is not your first language, avoid translating the lecture into your first language.

5. Develop a personal note-taking system. Have a special notebook where you keep all your notes. Make
sure it is big enough to provide space for clear organizational structure. Put the date on your notes. Leave
empty spaces between one point to the next so that you can add additional notes later. Use symbols to help
you remember what is missing. Develop a set of symbols and abbreviations that you understand.

6. Write neatly enough for you to understand, but remember having perfectly neat notes does not lead to
better learning. Dont take the time to erase. Just cross out. It is good, however, to be able to read your notes.
It is a better use of time to reread and think about your notes than to rewrite them.

7. Do not try to write down everything that you hear. Dont write down what you already know. Try not to
get lost in the examples and minor points. Identify the main ideas. Try to understand how each part of the
lecture belongs together. It is not helpful to have jumbled words scribbled all over your paper that dont make
sense.

8. Write down everything on the board or highlighted in a PPT. If the speaker wrote it down, there is a
good chance that it is important.

9. Pay attention to language, visual, and verbal cues that help you identify the organization of the lecture
and the key points. Some examples of cues: transitional phrases, hand motions, facial expressions, repetition
of vocabulary or concepts, and slower pronunciation of words.

10. Write neatly enough for you to understand, but remember having perfectly neat notes does not
necessarily lead to better learning. It is good, however, to be able to read your notes. It is a better use of time
to reread and think about your notes than to rewrite them.

11. Make sure you understand exactly what your assignments are. If you dont, ask. Take advantage of
professors office hours.

12. Review your notes. Compare notes with classmates to ensure they are complete. Summarize your
notes. It has been said that 60% of casual information that we hear will be forgotten in 24 hours.

1
Loosely adapted from Note Taking and In-Class Skills. Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center. Virginia Tech University.
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support_students/study_skills_information/note_taking_and_in-class_skills/