HOW to Review Lecture Notes after Class

One strategy that is always encouraged is to review your lecture notes as soon as possible after class.  But what should you actually do?  Just re-reading them is not enough to learn them.  Here are some suggestions:

Read over notes and do the following:

• Correct any misspellings
• Add information to make them clear
• Identify any questions or confusions and find answers
• Be sure that the organization is clear and easily understood.  Maybe highlight or underline the major topics.
• If your notes are too messy to be understood (either as a result or your note-taking or an unorganized lecturer) rewrite them.

 Then you can begin to actually learn the information in your notes:

• Use recitation – cover one section of your notes and repeat the information in your own words from memory.  Check yourself and clear up any incorrect or unclear information.
• Make a study guide from the lecture notes.   This can be in whatever form you choose such as a concept map, review chart, study cards, question and answer, etc.
• If you like verbalizing information or working with others, form a study group and either quiz each other from the notes or teach each other sections of the notes.

 And then tomorrow – do the same with the new notes you have taken and review the previous notes.

As you prepare for a new semester:

Besides which clothes to pack and what meal plan to purchase, there are many other things to consider as you start a new semester:

How will you manage your time and keep track of assignments?  You will have many professors giving you assignments and exam dates, and you will need more than your memory to keep them all straight.  Some things that are helpful are: 1.) a monthly calendar where you can write all major papers, projects and exams.  With this you can see the semester as a whole and plan your time better, 2.) a weekly date book where you can write all smaller assignments as well as you plans or goals for that day or week, and 3.) a weekly schedule of all classes and regular meetings, work, exercise times, etc. so that you can effectively plan when you will study.

Who will you be friends with?  Especially if you are a freshman, chose your friends carefully.  You want your friends to be people who care about your success and who will encourage you and keep you focused.

What are your goals for the semester?  If you are a returning student, think about your previous grades and set a goal slightly higher.  If you are a freshman, examine your classes and be realistic.  You want your goal to challenge you, but also to be achievable.

What are you going to do to achieve your semester grade goal?  Think about how you learn.  Plan early to use active, concrete learning strategies.

What road blocks might get in the way of your academic success?  How will you deal with them?  Have a concrete plan in place before temptation crops up!

These topics have been covered in-depth in previous blogs.  Take a look back for further information.

Enjoy the semester and be sure that plans are in place for your success!