I write slow and read slow

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 01:27 PM

I am rediscovering that taking notes is hazardous. if I write any notes, I completely miss the lecture taking place during that time... it's aggravating. Further, I tried recording in the past and that failed to.

**Paul Pless** · 08-21-2012, 01:33 PM

What classes did you end taking?

**JimD** · 08-21-2012, 01:37 PM

I write slowly and read slowly, too. Always have. Doubt if I have the brain power left to learn anything truly new. If I were to go back to school it would have to be for refresher courses to jog the memory of things already learned and forgotten.

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by JimD

I write slow and read slow, too. Always have. Doubt if I have the brain power left to learn anything truly new. If I were to go back to school it would have to be for refresher courses to jog the memory of things already learned and forgotten.

that is part of what I am doing... I'm just auditing the math

Paul, I'm auditing the aldebra/math and taking media journalism for credit

**JimD** · 08-21-2012, 01:53 PM

Math is fascinating.

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by JimD

Math is fascinating.

at university, I have taken algebra, trig and calculus... don't rememember anything

**LeeG** · 08-21-2012, 02:18 PM

Hang in there Philip

**David W Pratt** · 08-21-2012, 02:21 PM

I'll be taking History of Medicine this Fall

**katey** · 08-21-2012, 02:32 PM

Don't feel like you HAVE to take notes. For some people, it just gets in the way...they learn better by listening actively (keep an ear out for things you question, and try to relate what you're hearing to what you've learned before, both in the classroom and real life) and/or by reading the written materials assigned.

**John of Phoenix** · 08-21-2012, 02:40 PM

I love math but had to take calculus twice. Half way through the second time I could finally spell it correctly. With some extra study, it finally sunk in and I learned what a powerful tool it is. Keep at it.

+1 on Katey's thoughts.

History of Medicine sounds fascinating with the way religion has been involved - from the dark ages until today.

**TomF** · 08-21-2012, 02:53 PM

Yeah - point is, Phillip, you're doing this for you. So do it in a way that gets you more of what you want. You're not even necessarily looking for a stellar grade etc. to keep a scholarship, or bump up your GPA for the transcript or etc. You're doing it 'cause you want to - so enjoy yourself.

I used to take notes in scribbled bullet points. Then when I went through the notes after, I'd write notes to myself in the margins asking questions, trying to draw links to the other material we'd studied before or that I'd studied in other places. Helped me remember stuff a lot better (and a lot more easily), and helped me when it came to writing essays etc. too .. as I'd already done some brainstorming on most of the topics.

I do that on a laptop now, 'cause i can type a whole lot faster than I can write by hand .. and it's legible ... and easily editable. Prolly wouldn't work as well for math though!

**Paul Pless** · 08-21-2012, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by katey

Don't feel like you HAVE to take notes. For some people, it just gets in the way...they learn better by listening actively (keep an ear out for things you question, and try to relate what you're hearing to what you've learned before, both in the classroom and real life) and/or by reading the written materials assigned.

I agree. I didn't take many notes, (and I still don't take many notes at meetings). Being familiar with the subject matter is always helpful, read ahead before a lecture. Honestly, the best thing I ever did in school was to take upper level classes. They're smaller, more discussion oriented, and generally more interesting and less seeming of a waste of time. Even when all I had to do was take a 201 level class as an elective, if I could manage to get into a 300 or 400 level History class I would.

**Waddie** · 08-21-2012, 03:12 PM

Phillip, you're probably trying to jot down too much information. Try to focus only on the main points, leave some space and fill in what you want later. Try to leave a class period free between each class if possible, as doing the notes editing right after class is most effective.

Also, hook up with other people in the class, for comparing notes, study, and in case you miss a lecture. And enjoy the process.

regards,
Waddie

**TomF** · 08-21-2012, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Paul Pless

...Being familiar with the subject matter is always helpful, read ahead before a lecture...

Yeah. Figure on spending about 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class, and go in having done enough reading to have begun to form an opinion.

A prof of mine used to say to go into any seminar class as prepared as if you were going to have to lead the seminar yourself. Read the stuff, think about where you agree/disagree with it and why, and how you'd summarize the main points if you had to tell someone else. Then go to class, and hear how the prof did his/her homework.

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 03:48 PM

good advice, guys... thanks. actually I was just speaking in broad terms as it was only the first day in class and taken up with the sylibus for the most part. I just was reminded how much trouble note taking is or can be

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 03:51 PM

I wonder if anyone would get the joke if I showed up with a Big Chief notebook and a fat pencil

**John of Phoenix** · 08-21-2012, 03:59 PM

Sure, take the course as an audit and go class clown early. What have you got to loose but I think Rodney Dangerfield did something like this in a movie already.

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 05:10 PM

I was actually thinking of the creative writing people... the same ones who teach journalism

bad assumption, John

**S/V Laura Ellen** · 08-21-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Phillip Allen

I tried recording in the past and that failed to.

You didn't finish the sentence. "failed to do what?"

**S/V Laura Ellen** · 08-21-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by S/V Laura Ellen

You didn't finish the sentence. "failed to do what?"

And yes, I know that my sentence is incomplete also.

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by S/V Laura Ellen

You didn't finish the sentence. "failed to do what?"

'o'

**Donn** · 08-21-2012, 05:22 PM

Add this to all the other advice:

It's "slowly," not "slow."

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Donn

Add this to all the other advice:

It's "slowly," not "slow."

I'm sure I'll be learning that very thing, or maybe reminded of it.

**S/V Laura Ellen** · 08-21-2012, 05:26 PM

Recording devices have improved greatly over that last few decades (don't know when you last tried to record a lecture).
Sit near the front (if you sit near the front be careful to not sleep through the lecture) and use a good directional mic.
Look to see if others are taping the lecture, see what they are using.

**Phillip Allen** · 08-21-2012, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by S/V Laura Ellen

Recording devices have improved greatly over that last few decades (don't know when you last tried to record a lecture).
Sit near the front (if you sit near the front be careful to not sleep through the lecture) and use a good directional mic.
Look to see if others are taping the lecture, see what they are using.

I'll check it out

**Nanoose** · 08-21-2012, 06:42 PM

THere's an app for that!

A number of apps will now record and translate into typed notes for you. Very kewl as it lets you focus on listening knowing the notes will be there for you . . . and even if not perfect, main ideas will be there and jog your memory.

Also, some profs will let you access their lecture notes/power points by posting them online someplace. It's worth asking about.

A last idea: there is SOO much math/science lesson stuff on line, it will overwhelm you! Check out Khan Academy as a place to start - all the math in short 5-7 minute (mostly) videos.

Good for you, Phillip!
Curiosity and learning are great things!!

Thread: I write slow and read slow

Thread Tools

Display

I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Re: I write slow and read slow

Posting Permissions