Taking effective notes is important for academic success. While doing homework is crucial, understanding course material and performing well on tests and quizzes is key to getting good grades. Note-taking helps with this in several ways. It allows students to identify important concepts, comprehend material, and easily review vast amounts of information. The presentation outlines five common note-taking methods: the Cornell method, using visual elements, switching mediums to laptops, using shorthand, and recording lectures. It emphasizes focusing notes on main ideas, new vocabulary, and repeated topics which will likely appear on tests and quizzes. Mastering an effective note-taking approach is essential for students who want to improve their grades.

1. So You Wanna Be A SuccessfulSo You Wanna Be A Successful
Student?:Student?:The Importance Of Note-TakingThe Importance Of Note-Taking

2. Why Am I Not Getting The Grade I Want InWhy Am I Not Getting The Grade I Want In
Class?Class?
When students do their homework but still don’tWhen students do their homework but still don’t
get the grade they want in class they wonder whyget the grade they want in class they wonder why
that is.that is.
It’s because doing homework is not the only thingIt’s because doing homework is not the only thing
that matters when it comes to being a successfulthat matters when it comes to being a successful
student. I know what your thinking; How is it not?student. I know what your thinking; How is it not?
Right?Right?
Well there are a lot of other things that factor intoWell there are a lot of other things that factor into
it; like UNDERSTANDING your homework andit; like UNDERSTANDING your homework and
passing your test and quizzes, and you can’t justpassing your test and quizzes, and you can’t just
do that by looking at the teacher.do that by looking at the teacher.

3. NO!NO!
YOU HAVE TO TAKE NOTES.YOU HAVE TO TAKE NOTES.

4. Why Should I? What’s So Great About NotesWhy Should I? What’s So Great About Notes
Anyway?Anyway?
Though notes may not be fun to take, they haveThough notes may not be fun to take, they have
their advantages. Here are a few ways they cantheir advantages. Here are a few ways they can
be useful to you:be useful to you:
1.Helps you identify key concepts.1.Helps you identify key concepts.
2.Helps you to comprehend what you read/hear.2.Helps you to comprehend what you read/hear.
3.Makes it easier to understand vast amounts of3.Makes it easier to understand vast amounts of
information.information.
4.Makes taking exams and pop quizzes a lot4.Makes taking exams and pop quizzes a lot
easier.easier.

5. How do I take these…Notes?How do I take these…Notes?

6. Taking notes is different for everyone. The kind of notesTaking notes is different for everyone. The kind of notes
you take and the efficiency of them is going to beyou take and the efficiency of them is going to be
customized to you personally. Some note takingcustomized to you personally. Some note taking
methods may work for you and then others will not.methods may work for you and then others will not.

7. What are the different kinds of note takingWhat are the different kinds of note taking
methods? And how do I know which one willmethods? And how do I know which one will
work for mework for me

8. There are a lot of different ways to takeThere are a lot of different ways to take
notes, but we’ll focus on the five classicnotes, but we’ll focus on the five classic
ways.ways.

9. The Cornell methodThe Cornell method
This method works with reviewing as you go along.This method works with reviewing as you go along.
This method consist of:This method consist of:
Dividing your page into two columns. The leftDividing your page into two columns. The left
column is narrower than the right. You're goingcolumn is narrower than the right. You're going
to put the main ideas in this column. In the rightto put the main ideas in this column. In the right
column you are going to write down as manycolumn you are going to write down as many
notes on that topic as possible. The right columnnotes on that topic as possible. The right column
does not have to be organized but you do havedoes not have to be organized but you do have
to be able to read it later.to be able to read it later.
When you are done taking notes try to re-writeWhen you are done taking notes try to re-write
what you learned in your own words and seewhat you learned in your own words and see
how much you can re-call without the notes.how much you can re-call without the notes.

10. Go visualGo visual
Color code with different types of pen andColor code with different types of pen and
markers. Make doodles in the corners ofmarkers. Make doodles in the corners of
mind-maps or graphs.mind-maps or graphs.
Make your key ideas a different color thanMake your key ideas a different color than
the notes about them. This will help inthe notes about them. This will help in
making things less dull and fun to lookmaking things less dull and fun to look
over later.over later.
Switch mediumsSwitch mediums

11. Switch MediumsSwitch Mediums
This method takes us out of the old pen andThis method takes us out of the old pen and
paper note taking. It gets us more into thepaper note taking. It gets us more into the
times of technology.times of technology.
Use computers.Use computers.
Bring your laptops to school and take notesBring your laptops to school and take notes
on there if you think that typing workson there if you think that typing works
better that writing.better that writing.

12. Short HandShort Hand
If you can’t seem to catch everything thatIf you can’t seem to catch everything that
the teacher is saying, don’t try to writethe teacher is saying, don’t try to write
everything. Use abbreviations or slang, it’severything. Use abbreviations or slang, it’s
ok. As long as you can understand it laterok. As long as you can understand it later
it doesn’t matter.it doesn’t matter.

13. Don’t take notesDon’t take notes
Your probably thinking that this goes againstYour probably thinking that this goes against
all that this presentation is about, but inall that this presentation is about, but in
reality it doesn’t. If the other note takingreality it doesn’t. If the other note taking
skills don’t work you could try recordingskills don’t work you could try recording
your lectures in class then review themyour lectures in class then review them
when you get home.when you get home.

14. Ok now that I know which method toOk now that I know which method to
use what do I take notes on??use what do I take notes on??
The things that you want to make sure that you areThe things that you want to make sure that you are
focusing on when you take notes is…focusing on when you take notes is…
 Main IdeasMain Ideas
 New VocabularyNew Vocabulary
 New TopicsNew Topics
All of these things will most likely be on a test orAll of these things will most likely be on a test or
quiz.quiz.
Hint: if a teacher repeats things more than once it isHint: if a teacher repeats things more than once it is
probably important enough to be written down orprobably important enough to be written down or
recorded.recorded.

15. QUIZQUIZ
 What is so great about taking notes?What is so great about taking notes?
How can notes be helpful?How can notes be helpful?
 What are the five classic note taking skills?What are the five classic note taking skills?
Is this slideshow helpful?Is this slideshow helpful?