Guides and resources

How to take good notes during lectures

Do you have a hard time concentrating in class and taking notes? Good notes are necessary in order to be able to study. If your notes are clear and well organized, it will make your life easier during exams. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Sit near the professor – Students who sit near the front of the class usually take better notes. There are fewer distractions and it is easier to concentrate.

2. Do not try to write everything down – Concentrate on the main points and the examples your professor gives.

• Time – Often, the more time a professor spends talking about an idea, the more important it is.
• Blackboard and projector – Information the professor communicates in writing on the board or using the projector is probably important.
• Videos and films – If the professor takes the time to show a video, it is probably about something important.
• Repetition – Repetition of an idea is another sign that the information is key.
• The professor – If the professor looks closely at his or her notes before saying something, it is most likely important.
• Summaries - usually cover the most important points to remember.

3. Leave blank spaces if you are having trouble keeping up – After class, fill in the spaces with things you remember. If you forget something, ask a classmate if you can borrow their notes, or go see your professor.

4. Use a 3-ring binder for each subject – It is easy to add pages or handouts.

5. Do not rewrite all your notes – This takes time. However, rewriting key information (for example on cue cards or review sheets) can help you understand and memorize course material.

6. Compare your notes – Compare notes with other students in your class. It will give you a chance to see how others take notes and to find out if the important points you noted were the same as those noted by your classmates. You will probably find that your own notes are not so bad after all.

Reference : Fraser, Lisa. Making your Mark. Ontario : LDF Publishing Inc., 2003.

Stop by the Mentoring Centre. We can give your more ideas and show you different methods on how to take better notes.

You can also register for our free workshops.

Read between the lines: make the most of required readings

In addition to attending classes, doing homework, and writing exams, most courses require additional reading. Readings are important because they increase your knowledge and help you better understand the material covered by the professor.

Assigned texts can be complicated and may seem insurmountable. Here are some effective strategies to help you get through your readings.

Find a comfortable place with good lighting.

• Eliminate distractions.
• Position the book correctly.
• Find a specific place you can always go to read.

(If you always go to the same place for the same activity, your brain will begin to associate the place with the activity, and you will find it easier to concentrate.)

Read difficult information a little at a time.

• Skim the text (titles, first sentence of every paragraph, chapter summaries).
• Find the clues in the text (ie. italics, bold, subheadings)
• Read the complete text.
• After you have read the text once, go back over what you have read and highlight.
• Take a close look at graphs, illustrations and tables.
• Re-read the text again later.

Why do you have to read this text?

• Figure out what the purpose of the reading is. Whether it is to help you prepare for class or understand an important concept, the answer will provide motivation.

Pay attention to the longest sections.

• If a long section of text is devoted to a concept, this is usually a sign that it is an important concept. If you do not have much time, spend less time on shorter sections.

References:

‘’Taking Notes from Research Reading.’’ University of Toronto. <http://www.asc.utoronto.ca/Helpful-Links.htm.>

Stop by the mentoring center. We can give you other tips and information to help you read more efficiently.

You can also sign up for one of our free workshops.

Simard Hall, Room 125B

Learn to manage your time well – a challenge for many

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Not sure how to balance your free time, your social life, your job, and your studies?

Planning is an important part of the time management cycle. By preparing daily schedules, students are able to stay ahead and stay motivated. When planning your own schedule, be sure to include class hours, work hours, study breaks, extracurricular activities, etc.

Still not sure how to fit it all in? Stop by the Mentoring Centre (Simard Hall, room 125B). We can help you set your priorities and prepare a personalized schedule based on your needs.

You can also sign up for one of our free workshops on time management, procrastination and motivation.

Maintain your optimal stress level

Certain situations in life cause us stress. However, it is the way we perceive a situation that determines whether it becomes a problem. This means that stressful situations are not all necessarily negative. Just as each person sees a situation from their point of view and has their own coping skills, each one of us reacts to stress in a particular way.

Stress can manifest itself in physical, emotional, mental or behavioural symptoms. Understanding your reaction to stressful situations is the first step towards improving your ability to deal with stress.

If you are stressed by exams, stop by the Mentoring Centre (Simard Hall, room 125B)! We can offer you advice on how to manage your stress and help you learn different relaxation techniques.  

You can also sign up for our free workshops on stress management and exam preparation.

MEMORIZATION: Make memorization easier

A good memory is a real asset. It is important to understand how your memory works so you can train it. Everyone has a memory, but few people know how to use it well. Here are some tips for improving your memory.

Your brain sorts information as your senses convey it. This information is filed in a part of your brain called your short-term memory, or working memory. If you want to remember information for a long time (like when you are preparing for an exam), the information has to move from your short-term memory to your long-term memory.

For this to happen, the information has to be: 

• well understood
• linked to information you already understand
• repeated to your brain (Reading aloud enables you to use two senses: sight and hearing. Writing also uses two senses: sight and touch. Information repeated this way has two pathways to your brain.)
• used as often as possible. (Your memory does not forget information, but it needs frequent reminders about the information it contains in order to retrieve it easily.)

Write, link, see

Here are three ways of handling information to place it in your long-term memory. For example, remembering an author’s name will be easier if you:

• write the name down;
• link the author to a literary trend, school or style; and
• see the name in your reading material and visualize it.

Using your short-term memory effectively

Your short-term memory can store a small amount of information for a short period of time before transferring it to your long-term memory or losing it. Consequently, it is very important to avoid mental passivity.

Mental passivity occurs when you are not making an effort to understand, link and repeat the information given in class. Unfortunately, this is often what happens in classes where there is little student-professor interaction.

A good learning situation helps you process the information you need to remember and, thus, think more clearly about it. It also helps you organize, reformulate and experiment with the information you receive in class. If you process information this way, you will be able to reuse it as necessary.

What you can do

1.       Listen actively;

• Review and silently repeat the professor’s explanations.
• Associate what the professor says with what you already know.
• Go over the professor’s key words.
• Take notes that can be easily re-read.

2.       Select information to memorize;

• Identify the main ideas and stay focused on them.
• Highlight or underline the important information.
• Add key words in the margins of the page.
• Write a short summary in your own words.
• Create your own tables, graphs and diagrams.

3.       When you are preparing for exams, organize information into units;

• Create a summary that reduces the number of pages to be studied.
• Use visual representations such as tables, graphs and diagrams.

4.       Use appropriate memorization techniques;

• Use concrete and personal examples to help retain abstract concepts.
• Repeat a list of dates in and out of order.
• Write a summary in your own words to help understand the content of a long text.
• Make associations to real-life situations to help give a personal slant to the knowledge.
• Formulate your own questions.

5.       Learn from general to specific;

• Skim through the information you need to learn before getting into the details.
• Understand the essence of what you are learning by understanding the main ideas and making links between them.

6.       Use more than one of your senses;

• Read aloud: read the key elements in the text aloud or talk about them with someone.
• Read and write: create a summary or a table.
• Read and do: apply different elements of the text.

7.       Visualize the information;

• Create mental images and associations that are personal.
• Imagine yourself performing a task by visualizing the context as precisely as possible.

8.       Use mnemonic devices (mental associations);

• Use different colours for your notes.
• Create your own acronyms or acrostics.
• Sing the information to the tune of a popular song.

* The best way to achieve an efficient short-term memory is to train it. Use daily chores such as memorizing your grocery list or friends’ phone numbers to keep your mind active. Be confident in your abilities!

* Your short-term memory is capable of storing 5 to 9 pieces of information for a short period of time. To retain more information for a longer period, you will need your long-term memory.

Make better use of your long-term memory

To transfer information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory, you need to:

• Stay focused
• Take good notes in class
• Review your notes after class
• Re-read your notes regularly between classes
• Reuse memorized information as often as possible

Know your learning style

To memorize things well, you have to know yourself. The senses you use best will help you keep information in your memory. People can be visual, auditory or tactile/ kinesthetic learners.

Reference:

“Memorization.” University of Ottawa. <http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/mentoring/undergraduate/memorization.php>

Is your memory still playing tricks on you? Stop by the Mentoring Center (Simard Hall, room 125B). We can help you improve your memory by suggesting tips and techniques that are sure to work!

You can also sign up for one of our free workshops.

PREPARING FOR EXAMS: Find the best way to succeed at your exams

To study effectively, try this system:

Atmosphere – Create a positive atmosphere by getting into an optimistic frame of mind and setting yourself up in a place where you will not be disturbed.

Comprehension – Try to visualize the information. Explain and define the concepts aloud. Ask for help when you are not sure what you should do.

Repetition – Make notes about your readings in your own words.

Assimilation – Take short breaks (we recommend studying for 45 minutes, then taking a 15-minute break). After your break, quickly review what you studied earlier.

Anticipation – Try to anticipate what might be asked on the exam and make a list of possible questions.

Revision – Re-read your notes and ask someone to quiz you to make sure you know the material.

There are different ways to prepare for exams depending on the type of exam. It is important to keep the type of exam in mind to increase your chances of success. Here are some tips for preparing for different types of exams:

1. Multiple Choice (MC)

     - This type of exam requires memorization.

     - It is important to know definitions, dates and key words.

     - Try this method for answering MC questions:

               - Hide the answers while you read the question

               - Answer from memory and write down your response.

               - Read the list of answers.

               - Find the one that best matches your answer.

2. Short-answer questions

     - The subject is usually very specific, and you are told how to respond.

     - Do not write more than necessary because you might get off track and lose marks.

     - Concentrate on the technical terms that make up definitions.

     - Set a time limit for each question.

     - Read the question and look for key words.

     Try to be brief and concise.

3. Essay questions

     - This kind of question requires plenty of preparation and a methodical approach because the subject is usually very broad and your answer must be coherent.

     - Study overall concepts, recurring themes and links between theoretical elements.

     - At the exam, pay attention to the verbs that are used in the instructions. 

     - Before you start writing, prepare a clear outline to avoid repetition.

     - After writing your essay, check your spelling, grammar, syntax and vocabulary. These things are very important!

References:

 “Effective Study Habits.’’ Study Guides and Strategies. < http://www.studygs.net/murder.htm>

 Bégin, Christian. Devenir efficace dans ses études. Beauchemin, 1992.

Stop by the Mentoring Center (Simard Hall, room 125B). We can help you review before your exams and give you tips to help you better prepare for them.

You can also sign up for one of our free workshops.

Writing is a fundamental part of university studies and you will be hard pressed to find a course at the Faculty of Arts that does not require at least one written assignment. On this page you will be able to find the general format of a university-level assignment as well as guides and resources to better your writing skills and properly format references and bibliographies in order to avoid plagiarism. For more detailed information, refer to the Academic Writing Help Center or your Professor’s instructions.

• The Intro – The introduction is the first paragraph (or paragraphs) of your assignment and serves not only to set the stage for your paper, but also to present your argument and thesis. An introduction sets the tone for the paper and thus, a good introduction is important. As a general rule, the introduction should not be longer than 10% of your paper’s length.
  1. The opening – This part is the start of your introduction and gives background information of terms and concepts or historical context for your subject. Do NOT start your intro with overly general statements like “Since the dawn of time…”.
  2. The thesis – Your thesis is the heart and soul of your paper. It should be both debatable and answer the so what question. Essentially, your thesis answers the question “Why is my subject important?”
  3. The arguments – The last part of the introduction is stating your arguments. This can be done in one sentence or in multiple depending on the complexity of the arguments and the length of your paper. Your arguments MUST be related to your thesis.
• The Body – The body of an essay varies in length from a few paragraphs to however many you need to argue your thesis and fill the requirements of your assignment. If you learned about the 5-paragaph essay in high school, FORGET ABOUT IT. This model is often far too restrictive for the demands of university writing. However, the main function of the 5-paragraph essay is still applicable to university; the purpose of the body is to state, prove and explain your arguments.
  1. State – The first part of your body paragraph is to state one of your arguments and its relation to your thesis. This part is normally done in a single sentence which looks something like “(Argument) shows that (Thesis)”. Remember ONE idea per paragraph. If you are talking about cats and then start talking about chickens start a new paragraph.
  2. Prove – The second part of your paragraph is to prove your statement. This is where you show that your argument does indeed support your thesis. Here you will use quotations, paraphrase, stats, etc. so remember to cite them!
  3. Explain – The last part of the body paragraph ties a nice little bow around your argument. It is essentially a one to three sentence mini conclusion which summarizes what you proved in your paragraph and re-state how this relates to your thesis.
• The Conclusion – The conclusion marks the end of your paper, but it is not just a summary of everything you have already said in your paper. Instead, it sparks reflection in the reader and ends with the possibility of further study. Your conclusion should also be only about 10% of your paper.
  1. Thesis and arguments – The first part of the conclusion is restating your thesis and the arguments you used to prove it. A good way to do this is to reformulate your words from the introduction so as not to simple copy-paste what you have already said before.
  2. Summary – The next part is a SHORT summary of the main points and highlights from your body paragraphs.
  3. Significance – This is probably the most important part of your conclusion. Essentially, it answers the question “Why is your thesis important?”. Here you can write about a hole it fills in your chosen discipline, the importance of the topic in your field, or the possibly it creates for further research. Do NOT end your conclusion with a question.

For more information or writing advice, visit the Academic GPS service.

Other resources

These writing guides offer tools and practical guidelines to help you succeed in your written assignments. For more information, stop by the student Mentoring Centre or sign up for our essay writing workshop.

• AWHC writing handouts (Academic Writing Help Centre, GPS)
• Style Sheet and Working with Sources (Department of English)
• History essay guide (Department of History [PDF])
• Guide de présentations des travaux (Département de français [PDF])
• Writing and style guide for university papers and assignments (Faculty of Social Sciences)
• Spell Check
• Language Services