During the Lesson, consider the following.
Before you start taking any notes be clear about why you are attending the talk or meeting. What are you hoping to learn or gain from it? Think of your notes as a guide to your learning and development after the event. You notes form part of a working document that you’ll return to and add to later.
Think about whether or not a point is noteworthy before you write it down – do not take notes for the sake of taking notes. Otherwise you’ll end up with lots of irrelevant points, which will distract you from the important things. You probably only really need to make notes on things that are new to you.
Do not write down everything that is said, word-for-word, that would be transcribing, which is an altogether different skill. Concentrate on the key points, remain alert and attentive and listen to what is being said.
Write in your own style and use your own words, you don’t need to worry too much about spelling, grammar, punctuation or neatness as long as you can read your notes later and they make sense to you. Your personal note-writing system will evolve and improve with practice.
Try to use short concise points, single words or phrases or short sentences, use bullet or numbered lists if necessary. If you are using a pen and paper then it is easy to add linking lines to join ideas and concepts.
Write down in full, key information that can’t be shortened: names, contact details, dates, URL’s, references, book titles, formulas etc.
Use abbreviations to help you – just note what they mean!
Use underlining, indentation, circle words or phrases, use highlighter pens – whatever system works for you to emphasis the most important points and add some structure to your notes.
Use some sort of shorthand system that you will understand later – develop this system as you become more skilled at note-taking.
Don’t panic if you miss something. You can usually ask the speaker to repeat a point or ask a colleague or peer after the event. Note down that you have missed something to remind you to do this.
Once the lesson or event has finished:
As soon as possible, after the event, you should review and, where necessary, rework your notes. Fill in any gaps, adding content and further research to your notes. If your notes are handwritten you may want to type them into a computer. The more you interact with your notes the more you will remember and ultimately learn.
If possible share and/or compare your notes with a colleague or peer. Discuss your understandings and fill in any gaps together.