<p>I'm getting so behind with all these assignments the profs are giving. There's so much to read, and I feel so lost...
And during profs lecture, its hard to understand which one to note and which one not to.ANy suggestions on how to work smart?</p>
<p>A few random opinions about note-taking/lectures/studying from a parent....</p>
<p>I think taking notes on a laptop is a big mistake. (Not sure if you are doing that.) Professors have no idea if you are engaged or not and it has the potential to be alienating. Plus some classes (math, accounting, econ, etc... require a certain 'shorthand' with symbols that is not easily duplicated on the laptop. (Many will disagree with me here...but this is my humble opinion.)</p>
<p>Beyond that, I always did best when I focused on listening and understanding rather than getting notes. I used a highlighter and pencil to directly note important points in my text....but I really, really tried to keep my eyes on the instructor. Most provide lecture notes online, so I would use lecture time to make sure you are comprehending what the instructor is saying.</p>
<p>After lectures, I made outlines of what was covered. The outlines served multiple purposes....reinforced the knowledge while it was fresh, consolidated notes into a study guide for future tests, and identified areas where my understanding was weak. Worked for me....straight As in my Accounting classes until Theory my senior year.</p>
<p>There really is no getting out of the reading assignments and they can be daunting. My advice there is to resist the urge to skip over material or trim this time. You must immerse yourself in the information to master the skills. When I was studying for the CPA exam, I just told myself over and over....'this time next year, I'll be at the beach' ;) </p>
<p>Finally, if you feel like you may be 'missing the point' in the lectures, speak up. Some instructors ARE all over the place and you will only get direction if you push the point by asking questions. If you have a recitation, you might ask the TA for assistance in this area.</p>
<p>WRITE DOWN EVERY THING the prof says. Look for reviews on professors to find out where their tests come from notes or book or neither. Seek help immediately in the academic assistance dept. They can help with speed reading course and note taking....don't wait. ALso spend weekends catching up....you have an extra day this weekend. Get some help today though. <a href="http://www.unc.edu/depts/lcweb%5B/url%5D">www.unc.edu/depts/lcweb</a> 962-3782 think they moved to south campus.</p>
<p>IDMOM, I like ur idea of making outline. But after I come out of one class, I do readings for the next class.....but urs is a good idea and i'll try doing.
Atlmom, thanks for ur tips too and the learning center link.I might go up there for some reading tips.I read a book all day yesterday, still I'm trying to figure out what its about....</p>
<p>Sunny - I think best study/reading/note-taking methods may depend on the type of class too. Business classes are very similar to maths/sciences in that you really need to grasp the concepts since they build on each other. Watching and understanding the examples illustrated by the instructor is probably more crucial than writing his every word. But, then in a history class or literature class, those lecture words are probably the key to test questions and getting them down may be more important as Atlmom points out.</p>
<p>I just would make sure that generating tons of notes doesn't interfere with comprehension....the note-taking process should enhance your knowledge and retention, not leave you pressed for time or feeling two steps behind the instructor. </p>
<p>A trick that worked for me....and in the beginning, it took a while to get my schedule finessed to where I could do this. Work on the homework, reading assignments, notes, outlines, etc...for a class immediately after, on the same day, as that class. The information you have rec'd in lecture is at its freshest in your mind, and reinforcing and retaining it requires less effort than if you wait 24 hours.</p>
<p>DO YOU HAVE MICROSOFT ONE NOTE ON YOUR COMPUTER? I AM NOT VERY FAMILAR WITH THE SOFTWARE BUT IT IS INCLUDED WITH MICROSOFT SUITE OF PRODUCTS INCLUDE ON THE COMPUTERS PURCHASED THROUGH UNC. MY SON "DISCOVERED" IT WHILE EXPLORING HIS UNC COMPUTER. HE IS ABLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY RECORD THE LECTURES WHILE TAKING NOTES ON THE COMPUTER. WHEN HE GOES BACK TO HIS WRITTEN NOTES HE CAN ALSO REPLAY THE PORTION OF THE LECTURE THAT RELATES TO HIS WRITTEN NOTES. HERE IS A LINK I FOUND THAT BRIEFLY EXPLAINS MICROSOFT ONE NOTE. <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/onenote/HA101656661033.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/onenote/HA101656661033.aspx</a></p>
<p>I will concur with LEDad</p>
<p>My son uses One Note and he says it is incredible. If you don't have it already it's available at the UNC bookstore and really pretty inexpensive.</p>
<p>He says it has made note taking, organizing and reviewing a snap.</p>
<p>eadad - does one note actually record the lecture too as you take notes, because my daughter called me today to tell me about a guy in one of her classes. She was so amazed, she said he has a mac and it records the lecture as he takes notes. If one note does record she will be so happy, because she has it. The professors talk so fast, but I know they have a lot to say. Thanks for your help</p>
<p>eadad - never mind my daughter used the audio record on one note and it works great. Thanks for the info</p>