Because many of the executive functions (sustained attention, working memory, organization, planning, prioritizing, task initiation, persistence, and self-monitoring) can hamper a student’s ability to take notes in class, it can be helpful to try these three active note-taking strategies.
1. Take Notes Using Law-Ruled Paper
Click here to download law-ruled paper
Save this PDF file to your computer. When you are ready to print, choose “Print On Both Sides – Flip on the Long Edge.”
The distinguishing feature of the law-ruled paper is the layout of the page on which you take your notes. The page layout includes a 2.5-inch margin on the left of the page forming two areas on the page: the note-taking area and the cue-column.
Note-Taking Area
During class, take your notes on the bigger space to the right of the margin. Pick a note-taking format with which you feel comfortable. There are no hard-and-fast rules for this aspect of the system; however, you should not attempt to write down every single word your teacher says. It is usually not difficult to separate the essential material from the non-essential. Consider the suggestions below when thinking about what is important to include in your notes. To avoid missing information during the lecture, you should develop a system of abbreviations you understand, (try abbreviations used in text messages). As you take notes, it is important to realize that your emphasis should be on the key ideas, rather than the actual words used to convey those ideas.
Cue Column
The space to the left of the vertical margin is called the cue column. At first, you should not attempt to write in this area while you are taking notes. The cues are not created until you review your notes (which, ideally, you do as soon after class as possible, and certainly before the next class).
As you review your notes, you should write one or more keywords that summarize what in the notes column. Keywords are “cues” that remind you of what is written. By writing these words, you are forced to think about the class material in a way that clarifies meaning, strengthens memory and can help to recall information for quizzes and tests.
Once you learn how to write these cues, you should try to do so as you are taking notes. This extra step can force your brain to pay better attention during class!
2. Try these Note-Taking Tips and Tools
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Go to Focus on What’s Most Important to learn ways to focus on what’s most important while taking notes.
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Go to Note-Taking Tools to consider electronic tools that might help you.
3. Experience the big pay–off for using law–ruled paper!
You can study using your notes! When it’s time to study for the test, use your notes by covering up the right side of the page as you try to recall definitions and concepts. This saves you the time you might have taken to make flash-cards!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Go to my Note Taking Practice page and try these strategies to take notes on the TED talks presented here.
Need help Applying these Skills?
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(c) 2010-2019, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
