GREAT NOTES BEGIN WITH GOOD LISTENING

• “Set” your mind—intend to listen.
• Listen to what is being said—don’t allow your mind to wander.
• Clarify why you are listening—set a purpose and goal.
• Clarify continually (to yourself) what is being said.
• Keep your mind active—take notes.​
• Resist distractions (physical, emotional, mental).

• Involve yourself—think of examples as the speaker talks.

• Listen very closely to introductory and concluding remarks/ideas.
  
• Anticipate what is coming next (this is the most difficult yet the most effective for your memory). 
  
• Keep an open mind.
  
• Pay attention to “speaker cues” (voice, physical motions, rate of speech) for main ideas.​
  
• Think of questions while listening (helps to organize thoughts).

• Identify speaker’s method of organization for delivering the information.​
  
• Constantly try to link concepts and main ideas with details as well as cause/effect and problem-solving techniques.
  
• Listen for what is not said as well as what is said.
  
• Identify facts and opinions.
  
• Listen to class discussions carefully and make note of any points the speaker reinforces or repeats.
  
• Always summarize the information and immediately write three or more main ideas.