Reviewing or Learning Lecture Notes

In my Learning Strategies class we are working on lecture note-taking skills.  One important part of the process is what you do with the notes after class, so we have been discussing the difference between reviewing your notes and learning your notes.  Here are the ideas we shared:

When reviewing lecture notes:	When learning lecture notes:
Read through notes Make corrections Add information to make clear Highlight the headings or topics Identify any questions or confusing information	Practice recitation (read notes, close notebook, restate in your own words from memory, check your accuracy) Put information into a study guide Take advantage of any on-line quizzes or help in the textbook Form a study group and either: Quiz each other Explain the information to each other Visit your professor or tutoring center to clear up any confusions or questions

As you can see, the learning process involves more in-depth thinking.  This is the step many students skip, and the results are evident in their exam scores.  The demands of college learning are at a much higher level than high school.   Learning your notes will make a major difference in your grades.
*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies for Your First Semester (of Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at wordassociation.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.