OAE Online Workshops

Note-taking — Professor-Provided Notes

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Professors providing PowerPoint handouts or outlines for classes expect you to use these as resources in–not substitutes for–your own note-taking. Here are a few suggestions for making the most of them, along with a suggested note-taking strategy for each.

  • Notes posted before class: Review the professor’s notes before class, tying them to previous classes and assigned reading for this session: come up with some questions you think the lecture will answer for you, and listen for those answers. Print the notes for your reference during class (Parallel Notes).
  • PowerPoint handouts in class: Use these as an organizing tool for taking your own notes; build your reviewing strategies around this organization (Parallel Notes).
  • Notes posted after class: Compare your notes with the instructor’s—what did you miss? Did you catch the points of emphasis? When developing your reviewing strategies, let the professor’s notes guide your organization (Cornell Notes).
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