A Note on Notes: Listening During Lectures
Listening vs. Reading
If you’ve ever listened to a podcast or been distracted while listening to the TV, you know how easy it is to tune out of what we’re listening to. If you know how easy it is to tune out, then you also know how hard it can be to tune back in.
When we read from a textbook and get distracted, it’s easy to go back and re-read the page. In a lecture, you need to stop the professor and ask them to repeat what they had just said. While it’s always OK to ask, it’s important to try and stay tuned in during a lecture.
Come Prepared
Know the power of your syllabus and review it! Professors will typically write the topic of the class and the text that will be reviewed in that class on the syllabus- this means no surprises as to what will be covered. This gives you the opportunity to come prepared.
Read the text the professor will be discussing before your class. Write down any questions that you have or any points you would like to further discuss. This will help you not only be able to learn the material more deeply, but will also keep you engaged during the class.
Stay Focused
It’s always easy to tune out, but distractions in the classroom can make it even easier. When you come into class, be sure to put your distractions out of sight and ignore anything that’s going on around you.
- Sit in the front of the room where the professor can see you- this will hold you accountable to paying attention to the profession.
- Leave your emotional concerns outside of the classroom.
- Don’t worry about what the professor looks like, worry about what they’re saying.
- Turn your phone on silent, and put it in your bag (not your pocket, not on your lap, not on the table- completely out of sight!).
- Remind yourself that the class is a set amount of time, and once it’s over you can go on to focus on anything else you want.
Be a Flexible Note Taker
It’s easy to get hung up on making your notes look uniform or “pretty”. When you’re writing while listening, this can be a challenge; focus on getting the information down, and consider it a draft- you can always reformat, rewrite or type your notes up after class.
- Use symbols or shorten words.
- Don’t write down everything you hear (or even try to!).
- Don’t take notes just to take notes- make sure you take notes of value.
- Omit descriptions and full explanations. Keep your notes short and to the point. Condense your materials so you can grasp the main points rapidly.
- Don’t worry about missing a point. Leave space and pick up the material you missed at a later date, either through reading, questioning, common sense, or looking at a classmate’s notes.
- Take accurate notes. You should use your own words, but try not to change the meaning. If you quote directly from the author, quote correctly.
It Takes Practice
Like everything else, taking notes while listening takes practice, but there are ways to make it easier for yourself. Always be sure to review your notes from your previous lecture and check in with a friend to compare your notes. It might not get easier, but you will definitely get used to it!
“Listening and Note- Taking.” Cuesta College, 21 Jan. 2021, https://www.cuesta.edu/student/resources/ssc/study_guides/study_skills/506_study_notes.html.
