Study Skills - Lecture Notetaking
Before Class
Skim the assigned or related textbook material: chapter title, objectives, bold headings, vocabulary words, graphics and illustrations, summary, outline and review questions. Also skim related course objectives, outlines, and the syllabus.
Skimming gives you an overview of what may be covered in the lecture and helps create an organizational structure in your mind. Skimming makes it easier to keep up with the lecturer because you have already familiarized yourself with the topics to be covered as well as any specialized terminology that relates to those topics.
Review previous lecture notes. Most instructors begin each class where they left off at the end of the previous lecture. Most also ask if there are any questions from previous lecture or reading material. Prepare ahead by writing down any questions you wish to ask in class.
Reviewing gets you warmed up for class, reinforces what you have already learned and reminds you of what still needs to be understood and learned before the next test.