Do you ever copy down pages of notes while reading but still struggle to remember what you read? Alternatively, do you read through texts without taking notes and while only half paying attention? Perhaps you highlight or underline your texts but feel like maybe you’re not getting the most from your reading. If you fall into one of these categories, chances are good that you’re not getting the most out of your reading. This handout discusses the importance of taking good notes while reading and provides several different strategies and formats you can try. Show
The importance of good notesTaking good notes while reading is an important part of academic success in college. Most courses require significant reading, and it can be difficult to understand and master the material and do well in class without solid note taking and reading skills. Good notes from your reading can help you:
How to take good notes while readingGood notes can take different forms and may vary from person to person—or even from text to text. One of the key ideas of good note taking is that it is not necessary to copy down loads of information from the text. Copying down information does not engage your brain and is not a strong strategy for learning and remembering content. It also takes a lot of time and energy. In contrast, simply highlighting loads of information is simpler but does not do much to actively engage the brain. Instead of copying down tons of notes or over-highlighting, try some of the active and effective strategies and formats listed below. These will help you decrease the amount of time and energy you spend on notes and increase your comprehension and retention from reading. Different formats/strategies for notesThere is no one right way to take notes while reading. The important thing is that you experiment with a few effective strategies, find some that work for you, and use them. You may find that different formats or strategies work better for different types of texts, too, and you may want to use different ones for different classes. Below are some examples to try: Try taking notes from memory Students often miss the opportunity to digest the information from their texts because they’re too busy worrying about taking good notes—instead of actually comprehending the content, they’re thinking more about what they should write down.Try reading short sections of your reading (likely a paragraph or two or up to a page) and pausing to think about what you just read—then take notes from your memory of what you just read. This will help you focus on the main points instead of getting caught up in details.If you are taking notes digitally or online, try creating a Word or Google Document for each article or textbook chapter you have read. Write a summary of the key points from each reading without looking back at the text. Then fill in the details by consulting the reading only after you first have recalled everything you can. It’s okay to not remember 100% of what you just read; focus on the main points, and then refer back to the text to fill in details as needed.This method may take slightly longer, but many students say it’s worth it due to the increase in reading comprehension.Check out our Taking Notes While Reading video for more tips on how to make your notes more efficient and effective.Mark directly on the text
Cornell style notes
App-based notes (EverNote and OneNote)
Create a graphic organizer or concept map
Helpful tips
Other resourcesWhile taking good notes when reading is important and will go a long way, it’s also helpful to utilize other UNC resources—not just for note taking and reading, but also for any academic area. Check out some of these resources to provide supplemental support: Academic Coaching: Make an appointment with an academic coach to talk one-on-one about note-taking—and any other academic concern.
Works consulted“Concept Mapping.” Cornell University. Retrieved from http://lsc.cornell.edu/concept-maps/. “The Cornell Note-taking System.” Cornell University. Retrieved from http://lsc.cornell.edu/notes.html. “Effective Reading and Note Taking.” MIT. Retrieved from http://uaap.mit.edu/tutoring-support/study-tips/tooling-and-studying/tooling-and-studying-effective-reading-and-note-taking. “Reading a Textbook for True Understanding.” Cornell College. Retrieved from https://www.cornellcollege.edu/student-success-center/academic-support/study-tips/reading-textbooks.shtml “Reading Note Taking Strategies.” UNSW Sydney. Retrieved from https://student.unsw.edu.au/notemaking-written-text You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Learning Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill If you enjoy using our handouts, we appreciate contributions of acknowledgement. Make a Gift What are the different types of learning centers found in an early childhood classroom?Types of Preschool Learning Centers. Early Childhood Art Interest Area. ... . Early Childhood Block Interest Area. ... . Early Childhood Dramatic Play Interest Area. ... . Early Childhood Literacy Interest Area. ... . Early Childhood Music and Movement Interest Area. ... . Early Childhood Math and Manipulatives Interest Area.. Which of the following manipulative materials would be an example of a self correcting material?Examples of self-correcting materials are flash cards, puzzles, flip cards, matching cards, answer keys, and computer programs/games.
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