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toasterwater · 11-05-2006, 01:12 PM

Im currently enrolled in two college courses. This may not seem like alot, but while working a more than full time job, it takes a little bit of effort to fit it all into my schedule, and still have time for other ventures... such as rectreation, financial management, relationships, personal development, etc. These courses represent the first truly academic courses that I've taken since i graduated highschool in May of 2004. That isnt really a huge gap in time since my last academic venture, but i never took it seriously before. In highschool i was more focused on how to spend less effort on school than how to develop good academic behaviors and skills. I currently face a few challenges that should have been mastered years and years ago, but i never had the motivation to do so.

Challenge #1: How to take GREAT notes during a lecture.
I have learned to take down alot of notes quickly, but i do so in an unorganized manner. I can write at fairly quick speeds, and i have the self discipline to keep writing throughout the entire lecture, and i also have no problem taking down relevant, important notes. The problem that i have is that my notes are unorganized. I pretty much write all of the relevant information as it is presented, without much structure. My average page of notes consists of many mini-paragraphs, single sentences and facts, and maybe a diagram here and there. I plan on implementing the use of color as a means of organization, but i feel that there have to be some outstanding methods to take really great notes, just waiting for me to discover them

Challenge #2: Absorbing maximum knowledge through reading.
Of the two classes that I am taking, one of them (history) is in a traditional classroom setting, and the other (psychology) is completely self paced, with no teacher at all. The history class consists of lecture during class time, and readings on my own. The psychology class consists of me reading a textbook, and answering questions in a workbook (none of this is actually mandatory for the class, all that is mandatory is that i take the 4 quizes, and 2 tests, and write a paper). Because of the format of these classes, Im left with a large amount of reading. I don't have much problem finding time to read, but i feel like i should be absorbing more information than i am- such as dates and names. I have attempted to take notes on the material as I read it, but I've found that to be very time consuming, and it throws of my reading momentum every time i stop to take notes.

If you have any advice for me including tips, techniques, theories, etc. on how to improve my college skills, I would very much appreciate your feedback.

I would also like to mention that I have started learning (or attempting to learn) several education related skills: Short hand writing, Advanced memory techniques, and speed reading. Ill put information about these endevers in other posts.

11-05-2006, 01:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
toasterwater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 247	College Tips Im currently enrolled in two college courses. This may not seem like alot, but while working a more than full time job, it takes a little bit of effort to fit it all into my schedule, and still have time for other ventures... such as rectreation, financial management, relationships, personal development, etc. These courses represent the first truly academic courses that I've taken since i graduated highschool in May of 2004. That isnt really a huge gap in time since my last academic venture, but i never took it seriously before. In highschool i was more focused on how to spend less effort on school than how to develop good academic behaviors and skills. I currently face a few challenges that should have been mastered years and years ago, but i never had the motivation to do so. Challenge #1: How to take GREAT notes during a lecture. I have learned to take down alot of notes quickly, but i do so in an unorganized manner. I can write at fairly quick speeds, and i have the self discipline to keep writing throughout the entire lecture, and i also have no problem taking down relevant, important notes. The problem that i have is that my notes are unorganized. I pretty much write all of the relevant information as it is presented, without much structure. My average page of notes consists of many mini-paragraphs, single sentences and facts, and maybe a diagram here and there. I plan on implementing the use of color as a means of organization, but i feel that there have to be some outstanding methods to take really great notes, just waiting for me to discover them Challenge #2: Absorbing maximum knowledge through reading. Of the two classes that I am taking, one of them (history) is in a traditional classroom setting, and the other (psychology) is completely self paced, with no teacher at all. The history class consists of lecture during class time, and readings on my own. The psychology class consists of me reading a textbook, and answering questions in a workbook (none of this is actually mandatory for the class, all that is mandatory is that i take the 4 quizes, and 2 tests, and write a paper). Because of the format of these classes, Im left with a large amount of reading. I don't have much problem finding time to read, but i feel like i should be absorbing more information than i am- such as dates and names. I have attempted to take notes on the material as I read it, but I've found that to be very time consuming, and it throws of my reading momentum every time i stop to take notes. If you have any advice for me including tips, techniques, theories, etc. on how to improve my college skills, I would very much appreciate your feedback. I would also like to mention that I have started learning (or attempting to learn) several education related skills: Short hand writing, Advanced memory techniques, and speed reading. Ill put information about these endevers in other posts.