Tips for taking the best notes in class

Author: Sara Ángela Camacho Domínguez | Elementary School Teacher and Educational Psychologist @saraguapisima83

Let's take notes!

As teachers, we often give our students new information, information that isn't found in textbooks. Therefore, it's very important to pay attention in class and take notes on key topics.

You don't have to write down every word the teacher says—we're not typing! It's best to summarize and elaborate in your own words, while remaining faithful to the concept being explained. During class, you can use three rules or guidelines that will help you a lot:

1. Listen: you have to pay attention.
2. Understand: You must understand what the teacher has explained; if you do not understand something, you must
3. Elaborate: you have to retain the essence of what the teacher explained. Use
   a short and simple language.

It's also important to write the main topic explained by the teacher (the cover or headline) on the paper. It's a quick and easy way to find the material when you need to study it.

Once the lesson is over, you should reread your notes and consolidate the concepts learned. As the saying goes, "every teacher has his own book"; and it is. There are new techniques for taking notes, especially in the university setting. I currently teach at a school, but I previously taught at a university, and most of the students recorded the lessons and then transcribed them. This technique is useful when the teacher speaks very quickly or pauses frequently, rambling on about what he or she is explaining.

You should sit as close as possible to the teacher; ask for permission to record, and if you're using a cell phone, put it in airplane mode. This is a fun method, but you'll want to arrive very prepared for the exam. Technology is the order of the day, so we can use our iPad to take notes. In addition to taking notes, you can access what you've written on your tablet from any device, but to do so, you must have your account synchronized with your other electronic devices. There are many apps for this: Penultimate, Evernote, OneNote, or Notability. At the same time, your notes will look aesthetically pleasing, as they
You will have colors and icons to decorate and facilitate your study.

Finally, I'd like to tell you that a good study method is to: study in silence; choose a quiet place; keep your phone away; and make diagrams and mind maps. In short, establish a good work plan.