University of Florida
School of Music

Note-Taking Tips

• Attend all lectures

• Sit up front so you can see and hear better

• Keep the notes from each class separate.

• Number the pages of your notes in order

• Put the date and class title/number on each page of notes

• Write only on once side of the paper for ease in reading

• Write notes the first time so that they can be easily read

• Skip lines.  Leave space between main ideas

• Write in short, telegraphic sentences

• Make notes complete and clear enough to understand when you come back to them

• Always record examples given in class

• If instructor refers to specific pages of text, mark info in book.  Place pages in notes to refer

• Mark important ideas, terms, concepts with different colors, underlines, or asterisks, etc.

• Develop your own abbreviations.  Put a key at the top of the page for those

• Leave blanks for words, phrases, or ideas that you miss.  Ask someone to help fill gaps

• Listen for clues:  "This is important" or "The four steps/point are" or "finally."

• Keep assignments separate from your notes.  mark off assignments as you complete them

• Read over notes as soon as possible after class.  If something is unclear, mark it and ask

• Look over previous notes before class

• Keep it simple.  Use what is best for you.

Complete assignments before class;  bring all your materials; get to class early enough to look over your previous notes; these things will help you know what is important to record!

Force yourself to concentrate when your mind wanders.

Watch for clues:  repetition of words or topics, anything written on the board, handouts with key phrases or terms.

During a lecture, just write down the main ideas and key points and use abbreviations.

After the lecture, go back through your notes and rewrite them with as much detail as possible.

If you do not wish to rewrite your notes, try to leave spaces for details and write legibly, using key phrases, not whole sentences.

Develop a system of "highlighting," using underlining, checkmarks, or indentations to signify important ideas.

Make sure you separate your own thoughts from the lecturer's.  If you are unsure of your understanding, make a note to ask the instructor for clarification.

Always record examples the instructor gives - these will often clarify an abstract idea, or it may show up on a test.

Try to get to know someone in your class, just in case you need notes, or want to study with someone.

If you are having difficulty keeping up with the instructor, you might want to tape record the lecture and review it later.