ESC 1

Successful

Note-Taking A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS

“The ability to take in information and

make it one’s own by processing it,

restructuring it, and then presenting it in

a form so that it can be understood by

others (or by oneself at a later point) is

one of those ‘basic skills’ that is useful

throughout life” (Cohen, Kim, Tan, &

Winkelmes, 2013).

Can we get it all?

THE FACTS

Studies show 11% of a lecture is typically

captured in a first-year college student’s

notes.

Even the best students only capture 75%

of a lecture.

(Kiewra, 1985)

Can we remember it

all?

THE FINDINGS

The Good News

“Studies show that during a

20-minute lecture, you

retain approximately 70%

of what is presented in the

first 10 minutes.”

The Bad News

“You only retain 20% of

what is presented in the

last 10 minutes.”

(Kiewra, 1985)

“I don’t need to take

notes; I listen really

well!”

CAN YOU RECALL?

After hearing a lecture, studies show the

average student is able to recall:

50% after 1 day

35% after 1 week

20% after 2 weeks

Taking notes is critical!

The quality of notes taken

during a lecture has a

direct relationship to

retention of the material

presented.

“Researchers have found that if

important information is contained

in notes, it has a 34% chance of

being remembered. Information

not found in notes only has a 5%

chance of being remembered”

(Howe, 1970 as cited in Longman

& Atkinson, 1999).

Myth: “I just have to copy what my

teacher writes on the board.”

Reality: Not everything written on

the board is important.

BEFORE CLASS…

- Review notes from other classes

and readings.

- Clarify unclear points.

DURING CLASS…

- Make notes easy to read.

- Underline key words.

- Connect important thoughts.

- Listen for key words/cues.

“The most important point…”

“The three ideas…”

- Request handouts of complicated

diagrams.

- Leave a space if you miss something.

AFTER CLASS…

- Within 24 hours, review, clarify,

and elaborate.

- Do it again a week later, and then

a month later.

Having trouble taking

notes during class?

Talk to your instructor.

Have a great class!

Note-Taking Suggestions

Share these note-taking suggestions with your students: • Review notes from the previous class and assigned reading and ask the instructor to

clarify what doesn’t make sense. • Avoid writing too small and strive for easy readability. • Leave a generous left margin for rewriting important words and abbreviated key

content later. • Make key words, important relationships, and conclusions stand out. Underline,

highlight, box, or circle them. • Organize your notes according to the instructor’s words and phrases. Listen for

signal words such as “the following three…,” “the most important conclusion,” and “on the other hand.”

• Identify the most important points by watching for instructor cues: deliberate repetition, pauses, a slower speaking pace, a drop in pitch, a rise in interest or intensity, movement toward the class, displaying a slide, or writing on the board.

• Whenever possible, draw a picture or create a concept map or diagram. • Develop and use your own shorthand. • Try different pens until you find an instrument that glides smoothly and rapidly for

you. • If the instructor tends to speak or move from point to point too quickly, politely ask

him or her to slow down. • If you lose focus and miss part of a lecture, leave a space and ask a classmate, a

teaching assistant, or the instructor to help you fill in the blank. • Review, edit, clarify, and elaborate your notes within 24 hours of the lecture, again a

week later, and again a month later—even if for just a few minutes.

Copyright © 2016 Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). All rights reserved. No part of this document may be disclosed to a third party without the prior written consent of ACUE.