Page 7 - Study-Skills-Pamphlets-sample

Note Taking Styles Note-Taking In Meetings
Mind Mapping Note-taking enables you to stay engaged – When you take notes
A mind map is a diagram used to you stay more alert, focused, and actively involved in the meeting.
represent words, ideas, tasks, or other
items linked to and arranged around Note-taking provides a way for capturing your ideas, questions,
a central key word or idea. Mind maps and commitments – Capture the content of the meeting, so that
show relationships between topics and you can process it after the meeting.
are good for visual learners. You can use Note-taking communicates the right things to the other people –
software to create a mind map, or just When someone takes notes, it communicates to everyone else that
start drawing on your paper. You can
use images, colors, keywords, to connect they are actively listening. It also communicates that what others Other Note-Taking
thoughts and ideas visually. are saying is important - it is worth making the effort to record
their insights. Tools:

The Cornell Method is a popular note-taking system. Use a journal-formatted notebook – never go anywhere without it. ƒ Color-code your
Divide your paper like this: Outlining Keep your meeting notes as a running journal – Give each new notes with different
pens, pencils, and
Write Notes Outlining is an effective meeting (or topic) its own heading, along with the current date. The highlighters.
notes run continuously until the journal fills up. Then begin a new
ƒ Write the course name, date and topic way to capture one. ƒ Use index cards to
at the top of each page relationships between Use symbols so you can quickly scan your notes later– Good track key points on one
ƒ Take notes only on the right side of the ideas and data. It is examples: side and questions on
page during class also a good way to the other.
ƒ Skip a line between ideas and topics take notes from books, 8 If an item is particularly important or insightful, put a star ƒ Stay focused by using
ƒ Use abbreviations and keywords because books are next to it. in/out note-taking.
usually organized with ? If an item requires further research or resolution, put a Relevant notes on
Review and clarify an outline structure. question mark next to it. the left, unrelated
ƒ Review the notes as soon as possible  If an item requires follow-up, put a ballot box (open square) thoughts on the right.
after class. next to it. When the item is completed, then check it off.
ƒ Pull out main ideas, key points, dates,  If you have assigned a follow-up item to someone, put an open
and people, and write them in the left circle next to it (similar to the ballot box but a circle rather IN OUT
column (cues).
than a square). In the notes, indicate who is responsible. When • relevant • errands
Summarize the item is completed, check it off. notes • to do later
ƒ Write a summary of the main ideas in the bottom section. • what’s for
Schedule time to review your notes – scan your notes immediately dinner?
Study your notes after the meeting if possible. If not, do it at the end of the day.
ƒ Reread your notes in the right column. Take action on those items you can do in less than two minutes.
ƒ Spend most of your time studying the ideas in the left Follow up.
column and the summary at the bottom. These are the most
important ideas.