Student Gateway

• Writing Skills
• Referencing
• Communication Skills
• Study Skills
  • Different Learning Styles
  • Practical Tips
  • Note Taking in Lectures
    • 1. Become an Effective Listener
    • 2. Decide on What to Record
    • 3. Develop your Recording Style
    • Do's and Dont's
  • Reading Skills
• Time Management
• Maths Skills
• Exam Preparation
• Managing Stress
• International Student Resources
• Web resources
• Video Resources

Contact Info

Learning Development Service
Student Guidance Centre

Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 3618

E-mail: lds@qub.ac.uk

Office Hours

Normal hours are Monday-Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Evening and Skype appointments are available upon request.

2011 Teaching Award Recipient



Note Taking in Lectures

Taking accurate detailed notes is one of the most important skills you need for learning at University. The notes you take during lectures will help you prepare for examinations and also offer a way to reflect on your previous learning. If you don't take notes during your lectures then it is most likely that after the lecture you won't remember the key points and examples that were provided.

The following diagram shows a typical procedure that you may wish to follow to effectively take notes. Click on the links from the menu on the left for more information on each of the tips.

Some Things to Think About:

• If you don’t attend your lecture, you will miss important information.
• Even if you borrow your friends notes, you still run the risk of missing important information.
• If your lecturer has requested additional reading before your next lecture do it! Otherwise it is highly likely that you will not understand the material covered in your next lecture.
• By reading in advance it is likely you can predict the topics to be covered in your lecture.  
• REMEMBER: Lectures do not provide you with a full understanding of the subject, and certainly are not the  total requirement for exam revision, they assume some input on your part e.g. writing up notes in a style that is more comprehensive!