Your college success may be dependent on how well you take notes. If you were not used to attending lectures in high school, you may find the transition to the courses offered by colleges difficult. It may even be difficult to pay attention as a university professor delivers a lecture, but note-taking can help keep you focused. All that you need are a few basic tools and a little advice. That’s what you will learn about in this article.

Universities vary in the assistance that they offer to their students. Some college professors videotape their lectures and then post them online, making it easier for students to “tune in” at a later time. If the university you are attending does not offer this kind of service, consider purchasing an inexpensive tape recorder. Many students find that listening again, while reading their notes, is an effective way to study.

You will, of course, need notebooks or legal pads and writing utensils. Highlighter pens are beneficial. Colleges often include handouts as a part of the course curriculum. Buy a hole-punch, so that you can store these handouts in a three ring binder. When you do use highlighters or colored pens, use them sparingly. Too much color becomes ineffective. The purpose is to attract your attention. You can also highlight key points in your own notes.

Before class, record the date and the class name. If you know what the material will be about, title the page accordingly. This will help you find what you are looking for when exam time comes around. When you are taking notes from a college text book or something in the university library, write down the name of the book. You may find that you need to return to it later, for reference. Don’t write in complete sentences, come up with phrases that will help you remember the critical points and write clearly enough so that you can read your notes later.

Some colleges and universities have developed their own “systems” for note taking. The Cornell method is one example. This system suggests that you leave blank spaces between your phrases or other pertinent information. As soon as possible after the class, you go back through the notes and “fill in” the blanks. In the margins of the page, you might list new vocabulary words or questions that you think could be on a test. If done correctly, your notes become a good study guide.

Sometimes university students forget to ask questions. Some professors don’t allow questions until after the lecture is complete. This is another place where note-taking comes in handy. Record any question that you have during the lecture and ask for clarification at the end of class. Your success in college could depend on that single question. Don’t be afraid to ask.