Whether you're sitting in a large lecture hall or attending an interactive seminar, how you engage with your classes has a big impact on your learning process.
Actively participating in your lessons not only helps you understand the material more deeply, but it also saves you valuable study time later. By listening actively, taking notes strategically, and thinking critically about the content, you can get the most out of every class.
Here are some practical tips to help you make better use of your lectures and take more efficient notes.
Step 1: Before the lecture
- Prepare for the topic: Check any materials your lecturer has provided to see what will be covered. Read the relevant literature in advance to build a basic understanding. Come across an unfamiliar term? Try to figure out its meaning from the context, look for related words, or look it up.
- Review your notes from the previous class: Briefly going over what you learned last time helps you get back into the right mindset and makes it easier to see how the topics connect across lectures.
- Ask yourself questions: Think about what you hope to learn during the lecture. What questions do you expect to be answered? This helps you listen more purposefully.
- Choose your seat strategically: Find a spot where you're least likely to be distracted, by others or by yourself.
Step 2: During the lecture
- Stay focused: Try to stay actively engaged with the lecturer’s explanation. Keeping your attention on the speaker helps reduce distractions and improves your understanding.
- Pay attention to key points: Don’t try to write everything down word-for-word. Instead, focus on identifying the main ideas and essential details.
- Participate actively: Join discussions and take part in exercises – this helps you process the material more effectively and keeps you involved.
- Take effective notes: There are many ways to take notes. Watch this video on note-taking methods and choose the one that suits you best.
Tips for effective note-taking:
Be selective: Focus on core concepts, key examples, and what the lecturer emphasizes. Avoid transcribing everything.
Use your own structure: Consider lists, mind maps, or writing a short summary for each topic. Choose a style that works for you.
Review your notes after class: Take a few minutes to complete or rewrite them. This reinforces your memory.
Digital or paper? Try both. Some people retain more by writing by hand, while others prefer typing for clarity and speed.
Write down questions: Note anything that’s unclear so you can follow up later with classmates or your lecturer.
Keep experimenting: Develop a note-taking approach that works for you and continue refining it throughout your studies.
Step 3: After the lecture
- Schedule a review moment: Without review, we tend to forget around 60% of new information within days. By revisiting your notes a few days after class, you’ll remember the material much more effectively.
- Highlight key concepts: Underline or circle core terms and add comments to capture the main takeaways from the lecture.
- Restructure your notes: Make your notes clearer without copying them word for word. Try to rephrase the content in your own words, this helps you process the material actively and improves retention.