10 Activity 2: How to Review Notes

Estimated time: 10 minutes

Objectives:

Students will be able to

• Assess their prior information about how knowledge is learned and retained
• Integrate new methods of reviewing notes into their study routine

Activity

Part 1: Facts about Reviewing Notes

We all know that taking notes is important. But how important is it?

Quiz:

1. How soon should you review your notes after class?
2. Is it better to type notes on a laptop or tablet or to write them by hand?
3. Students who do not review their notes forget how much of the information after one day?

Answers:

1. Review your notes within 24 hours of class. It’s easy to write notes while you’re in class and not look at them again until the next class period. However, it’s more effective to review notes while the information is still fresh in your mind.
2. Studies have shown that writing notes by hand helps people remember the information better than if they type it. If you can write notes by hand, you should do so.
3. After 24 hours, students who do not review their notes forget 50% of the information they learned in class. Taking the time to review notes pays off!

Part 2: How to Review Notes

Reviewing notes isn’t just rereading them, although that can be effective. Here are some other strategies you can use:

1. Ask and answer questions. If you are using the Cornell Notes method, your notes page is already organized to do this. Write down questions based on your notes in the left panel. This will help you in two ways:
   1. You’ll be searching for key information
   2. You’ll be anticipating exam questions
2. Cross-reference with the textbook. Compare what you wrote with what is written in the book. Confirm that terms are defined and spelled correctly. Use any figures in the book (pictures, charts, graphs, etc.) to help you visualize information from the lecture. Sometimes we need multiple methods of instruction to understand a concept.
3. Recopy or retype notes. This may be time-consuming, but those of us with messy handwriting find it helpful to rewrite the information in a way that is easier to read and refer to. As always, you want to do this while the information is fresh in your mind, rather than wonder “What does that say? What did I mean by that?”
4. Quiz other members of your study group. Ask each other the questions you wrote and ensure everyone knows the answers. If someone doesn’t understand, you have an opportunity to teach the information, reinforcing your own knowledge.

Part 3: Reflection

Think about the answers to these questions for a few minutes. Share your answers with a partner, then with the class.

• Which of these note reviewing methods do you think would work for you?
• Which ones would work best for each of the subjects you are taking this term?