Note Taking in Biology

[Sepals]

I find that a tape-recorder helps a lot. Tape the lecture and then take more notes after.

I used to do that and it'll take hours to write up. I advice if someone wants to record, try and take as much notes as possible at the same time. It'll make the lecture easier to remember and help keep you focused on the content.

[BioCore]

I used to take notes form books, but it's very time consuming and I find time is better spent reading the book and maybe sticking post-its on the side of the pages of helpful sections. If it's a library book I can't have for long, I'll photocopy the relevent pages and highlight what's important.

Again sorry for bringing this back up but I just noticed that you had an interesting notion. This is the biggest reason I started taking notes on the computer due to time. I agree that highlighting and reading is probably better, but then how do you review for tests? I mean going through all that information, doesn't it take for ever as well or do you find that it is much faster? Also has it made you more efficient at studying (that is better)?

[Sepals]

Keep over the stuff again and again and try to write from memory.

I'm not the best person to give advice on revision....

[BioCore]

ha ha, thats alright because your method for revision is something I always did. Actually I would usually only go through certain things once and hardly ever again until a test, but that was because I used to constantly right out notes. with your method, you save time by not writing but keep going over them and then try to write from memory, which I think is actually a bit better.

A suggestion though if you do not mind, I remember reading how this one girl used her iPod to constantly keep fresh on her bio notes. I have a link below, very short article might benefit you if you have an mp3 player and a good recording program. LINK

I think if you made quick summaries, and then recorded them as she did and constantly kept going over them while on the bus or during some free time before sleeping your method could become if better. I might give it a try for a while see how it goes.

[ohiosammi]

My brother says that it is easier and better to take notes by hand. The more you physically write something the better you remember it. He is at Wright State Univ. in Ohio and most of the science professors do not like students taking notes on their laptop. He went to http://www.bookfactory.com to buy some pretty cool Student Laboratory Notebooks. He has a Ruled book for classroom notes and a Grid book for his weekly lab.
-- Science classes aside, I tend to agree with my brother. It is better to hand-write your notes.

[MichaelXY]

I had to sit next to someone using a laptop to take notes. It was irritating as hell to listen to that constant clickity click of the keyboard. It made it difficult to concentrate on the lecture.