How do you take notes while reading?

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Mavs88

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Well, I'm in Bio I in a course that is made incredibly difficult, yet rewarding by the prof at our school...something like 30/700 people made an A on the last exam.

Anyways, for this class he "requires" reading before each lecture and his lectures are pretty amazing and not verbatim from the book outline of reading either. Basically the reading gives you a background/foundation before coming to class.

Since the beginning of the semester, I've been taking notes as I read the chapter...but I'm getting to a pre-burnt out phase right now lol. I've scaled back the notes to include less detail as I've seen two exams by now.


On a side note, I take notes for O-chem as I read the chapters and it's VERY useful and helpful, in fact I wouldn't understand most of the material without it, of course it is much faster than notes on content heavy bio.

How do you take notes? Do you even take notes when doing readings? I know everyone is different but wanted to see how so.
 
Well, I'm in Bio I in a course that is made incredibly difficult, yet rewarding by the prof at our school...something like 30/700 people made an A on the last exam.

Anyways, for this class he "requires" reading before each lecture and his lectures are pretty amazing and not verbatim from the book outline of reading either. Basically the reading gives you a background/foundation before coming to class.

Since the beginning of the semester, I've been taking notes as I read the chapter...but I'm getting to a pre-burnt out phase right now lol. I've scaled back the notes to include less detail as I've seen two exams by now.


On a side note, I take notes for O-chem as I read the chapters and it's VERY useful and helpful, in fact I wouldn't understand most of the material without it, of course it is much faster than notes on content heavy bio.

How do you take notes? Do you even take notes when doing readings? I know everyone is different but wanted to see how so.

I like to highlight/take short notes in the margins. Then I usually go back through the chapters before starting to study for the exam to refresh myself on the important points.
 
Well, I'm in Bio I in a course that is made incredibly difficult, yet rewarding by the prof at our school...something like 30/700 people made an A on the last exam.

Anyways, for this class he "requires" reading before each lecture and his lectures are pretty amazing and not verbatim from the book outline of reading either. Basically the reading gives you a background/foundation before coming to class.

Since the beginning of the semester, I've been taking notes as I read the chapter...but I'm getting to a pre-burnt out phase right now lol. I've scaled back the notes to include less detail as I've seen two exams by now.


On a side note, I take notes for O-chem as I read the chapters and it's VERY useful and helpful, in fact I wouldn't understand most of the material without it, of course it is much faster than notes on content heavy bio.

How do you take notes? Do you even take notes when doing readings? I know everyone is different but wanted to see how so.

I only write notes (like a brief synopsis or reaction pathways) for bio courses, because they require solid memorization. Everything else involves a lot of critical thinking rested kn concrete or abstract concepts.
 
I learn the exact same way. OChem is a breeze because of the book. Keep doing what makes you successful. Try and stick it out until Thanksgiving where you have the time to recharge.
 
I use the Guaranteed 4.0 Plan, bullet point reading (BPR) technique. I am taking an online course and I never need to consult my notes because the material is all in my head.

How I take my notes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYsuN6VYHpU

In more detail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuYsaL5o5VM

How I deal with equations and formulas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j1BpAV31xY
This seems efficient, maybe I will give it a try...any more clues as to what the BPR note taking format may be? without buying the book of course lol
 
Well, I'm in Bio I in a course that is made incredibly difficult, yet rewarding by the prof at our school...something like 30/700 people made an A on the last exam.

Anyways, for this class he "requires" reading before each lecture and his lectures are pretty amazing and not verbatim from the book outline of reading either. Basically the reading gives you a background/foundation before coming to class.

Since the beginning of the semester, I've been taking notes as I read the chapter...but I'm getting to a pre-burnt out phase right now lol. I've scaled back the notes to include less detail as I've seen two exams by now.


On a side note, I take notes for O-chem as I read the chapters and it's VERY useful and helpful, in fact I wouldn't understand most of the material without it, of course it is much faster than notes on content heavy bio.

How do you take notes? Do you even take notes when doing readings? I know everyone is different but wanted to see how so.

I graduated a while ago but I used to read the textbook, and maybe highlight a few things before class. It would help in understanding Bio concepts/etc in class. During the weekend, I would then write notes or flashcards on important terms/pathways/etc. These notes were on both the textbook and my class notes/powerpoint. Ultimately I used these notes/flashcards when studying for the test.
 
This seems efficient, maybe I will give it a try...any more clues as to what the BPR note taking format may be? without buying the book of course lol

Here is a quick guide: http://www.sdcity.edu/Portals/0/CMS_Editors/MESA/PDFs/BPRbookmarkerRev.pdf

This is a sample of MY notes, for a few sections in a beginning Java programming book (tabs and some header formatting were not retained--for each additional star/bullet point, the notes should be tabed over once), for a beginning computer science course, online. Handwritten notes work just as well, but computer is my preference. Also notice how I skipped lines. Depending on the course and the book, you have to use different approaches with Guaranteed 4.0, especially with examples. Orgo would require creativity to "fit" the format, but it is certainly doable.

The Compiler and the Java Virtual Machine

* editor

** used for writing program

* Source Code:

** Java programming statements:

*** written by programmer

* Source file

** stores the java programming statements

** saved as .java extension

* Compiler

** translates source code to:

*** executeable file

** uncovers syntax errors

** creates translated file when:

*** source file is error-free

** compile byte code instructions

*** must be executed by:

**** Java Virtual Machine

* Java Virtual Machine

** reads Java byte code instructions

** executes them as read

** known as interpreter

* Java is known as:

** interpreted language

Portability

* means runs on:

** wide variety of computers

* Java is highly portable

* Java byte code may be:

** run on any computer with:

*** a Java virtual machine:

**** e.g. Linux, Mac, Windows

Java Software Editions

* used for creating Java programs

** JDK (Java Development Kit)

** SDK (Software Development Kit)

Compiling and Running a Java Program

* After Sun JDK is installed:

** go to operating system's

*** command prompt

**** type

***** javac Filename

* To run the Java program

** java ClassFilename

*** ClassFilename is .class file

*** do not type extension

Integrated Development Environments

* consist of:

** text editor,

**compiler

** debugger

** other utilities

1.6 The Programming Process

1. Clearly Define What Program Is to Do

* identify:

** input data

** processing to take place

** desired output

2. Visualize the Program Running on the Computer

* puts you in the:



** user's shoes

3. Use Design Tools to Create Model of Program

* use pseudocode

** cross between English and programming

4. Check the Model for Logical Errors

* trace through pseudocode for errors

5. Enter the Code and Compile it

* saved source code to file

* compliler checks for errors

6. Correct Any Errors Found During Compilation. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 as Necessary

* must be:

** Free of compile-time errors

7. Run the Program with Test Data for Input

* testing for runtime errors

* if output is not ideal:

** logical errors are likely present

8. Correct any runtime errors found while running the program. Repeat steps 5 through 8 as many times as necessary

9. Validate the results of the program

* Determine whether:

 ** original problem is solved

Software Engineering

1.7 Object-Oriented Programming

* procedure

** set of programming statements that:

*** perform a specific task

* procedures passed to one another

* Object-oriented programming:

** creates objects

* attributes:

** data contained in object

* methods:

** procedures that an object performs

* Encapsulation:

** combining of data and code

** into a single object

* Data hiding:

** hide data from code:

** that is outside the object

* Objects typically hide data

** allows outside code to access:

*** methods that operate on data
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Basically, your goal is to remember things. You want to use colors, illustrations, etc.
 
Here is a quick guide: http://www.sdcity.edu/Portals/0/CMS_Editors/MESA/PDFs/BPRbookmarkerRev.pdf

This is a sample of MY notes, for a few sections in a beginning Java programming book (tabs and some header formatting were not retained--for each additional star/bullet point, the notes should be tabed over once), for a beginning computer science course, online. Handwritten notes work just as well, but computer is my preference. Also notice how I skipped lines. Depending on the course and the book, you have to use different approaches with Guaranteed 4.0, especially with examples. Orgo would require creativity to "fit" the format, but it is certainly doable.

The Compiler and the Java Virtual Machine

* editor

** used for writing program

* Source Code:

** Java programming statements:

*** written by programmer

* Source file

** stores the java programming statements

** saved as .java extension

* Compiler

** translates source code to:

*** executeable file

** uncovers syntax errors

** creates translated file when:

*** source file is error-free

** compile byte code instructions

*** must be executed by:

**** Java Virtual Machine

* Java Virtual Machine

** reads Java byte code instructions

** executes them as read

** known as interpreter

* Java is known as:

** interpreted language

Portability

* means runs on:

** wide variety of computers

* Java is highly portable

* Java byte code may be:

** run on any computer with:

*** a Java virtual machine:

**** e.g. Linux, Mac, Windows

Java Software Editions

* used for creating Java programs

** JDK (Java Development Kit)

** SDK (Software Development Kit)

Compiling and Running a Java Program

* After Sun JDK is installed:

** go to operating system's

*** command prompt

**** type

***** javac Filename

* To run the Java program

** java ClassFilename

*** ClassFilename is .class file

*** do not type extension

Integrated Development Environments

* consist of:

** text editor,

**compiler

** debugger

** other utilities

1.6 The Programming Process

1. Clearly Define What Program Is to Do

* identify:

** input data

** processing to take place

** desired output

2. Visualize the Program Running on the Computer

* puts you in the:



** user's shoes

3. Use Design Tools to Create Model of Program

* use pseudocode

** cross between English and programming

4. Check the Model for Logical Errors

* trace through pseudocode for errors

5. Enter the Code and Compile it

* saved source code to file

* compliler checks for errors

6. Correct Any Errors Found During Compilation. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 as Necessary

* must be:

** Free of compile-time errors

7. Run the Program with Test Data for Input

* testing for runtime errors

* if output is not ideal:

** logical errors are likely present

8. Correct any runtime errors found while running the program. Repeat steps 5 through 8 as many times as necessary

9. Validate the results of the program

* Determine whether:

 ** original problem is solved

Software Engineering

1.7 Object-Oriented Programming

* procedure

** set of programming statements that:

*** perform a specific task

* procedures passed to one another

* Object-oriented programming:

** creates objects

* attributes:

** data contained in object

* methods:

** procedures that an object performs

* Encapsulation:

** combining of data and code

** into a single object

* Data hiding:

** hide data from code:

** that is outside the object

* Objects typically hide data

** allows outside code to access:

*** methods that operate on data
That method is great! Thank you
 
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