• Use PHRASES and KEYWORDS, not complete sentences.

• OMIT words that you don't need.

• ABBREVIATE whenever possible - especially after you have written out the whole word first.

• Use SYMBOLS instead of words whenever you can. (+, -, &, #, =, etc.)

These first four cut down on writing time, increase listening, and speed review!

• Make ILLUSTRATIONS or draw pictures to show ideas.

• Record ALL IMPORTANT IDEAS and details so you will understand later.

• Put MAJOR IDEAS on the LEFT; INDENT subtopics UNDERNEATH.

• Leave SPACES BETWEEN TOPICS to show how the ideas are organized. Also leave space in the left hand margin to add information later.

• After class, NUMBER or LETTER the separate topics to check yourself by during review.

•  HIGHLIGHT or underline KEYWORDS or ideas to make them stand out on the page.

Review your notes within a day to check whether you understand them.  Add any information you may have left out while you were busy listening.  This is also an important time mentally for remembering -- putting the information from your short-term memory into your long-term memory.

--Susanne G. MacArthur