Page 226 - Keys to College Success

student PROFILE

Matthew Chan

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,
BERKELEY

About me: are short and to-the-point. I try to keep them simple enough that
I’m a 4th year Electrical Engineer- they can fit on an index card or Post-it, but detailed enough that Note Taking, Memory, and Studying
ing and Computer Science double someone with no knowledge of the material could gain a basic
major. I was homeschooled for six understanding from them. Index cards are great for flashcard-
years before coming to college, so I am well-versed at taking notes esque reviews before exams, whereas Post-its can be stuck in
from my bed. places I study often to serve as a reminder for key concepts.

What I focus on: What will help me in the workplace:

I find that learning is best done hands-on, and prefer taking notes in It’s important to be able to understand and convey concepts. Much
an active manner. Rather than simply rewriting the professor’s like repeating words isn’t as effective as fully grasping an idea and
words, reword concepts in a way that you understand. If you can do being able to express it multiple ways, success on the job demands
it in fewer words than the professor uses, that’s even better. If time that you be able to put ideas into action. I think my ability to take
permits, throw around questions about the material, draw pictures, in new information, pick out the key points, and express them
and don’t feel limited by the lines on a lined notebook. I find this to clearly will help me to keep tasks and projects moving no matter
be much more fun and engaging than simply copying words. my position in the workplace. I also anticipate that my ability to
After lectures, I go back through my notes and pull out the most record and synthesize ideas can increase my chances of moving
essential information to create a second set of notes. These notes into a leader or mentor role at work.

Step 3: Use critical thinking. Reflect on ideas as you review your master note set:
■ Brainstorm examples from other sources that illustrate central ideas.
■ Think of ideas from your readings or from class that support or clarify your notes.
■ Consider what in your class notes differed from your reading notes and why.
■ Apply concepts to problems at the end of text chapters or real-world situations.

Step 4: Create study sheets. This step puts your master notes in their shortest, most
manageable (and portable) form. A study sheet is a one-page synthesis of all key points
on one theme, topic, or process. Use critical thinking skills to organize information into
themes or topics that you will need to know on an exam.

Step 5: Review and review again. To ensure learning and prepare for exams, review
your condensed notes, study sheets, and critical thinking questions until you know
every topic cold. Try to vary your review methods, focusing on active involvement.
Recite the material to yourself, have a Q and A session with a study partner, create and
take a practice test. Another helpful technique is to summarize your notes in writing
from memory after you review them. This will give you a fairly good indication of your
ability to recall the information on a test.

Good listening powers note taking. When taking notes in class, listen carefully to
the information before deciding what to write down.

189