Comments on: Monday Master Class: How to Take Notes on Power Point Slides

By: Cassie

Cassie — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:21:17 +0000

This is probably a bit late for you, Ben, but what I used to do when short on time in math lectures and typing my notes is type out the names of greek symbols and symbols which don’t have a keyboard shortcut and do the rest in calculator style (like / for divide, * for multiplication and brackets as needed). Afterwards or in a slower part of the lecture you can edit them to a more elegant format. For Microsoft word 2010 you get an equation editor which can allow you to typeset equations. If you have an earlier version, you can instead use a program called LyX. It’s free, compatible with all three common operating systems and allows you to typeset equations easily. It’s a version of LaTeX but you don’t need to remember commands and stuff like that.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:04:22 +0000

Okay so I have been thinking about this for some time. How could I take my chemistry notes on my laptop. There are so many math problems and Greek symbols that I think it would be hard to keep up if at all possible. Is there an easier way?

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 24 May 2011 01:22:35 +0000

I usually print the slides and use the Morse Code method…of course, I also rarely take notes.

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:14:55 +0000

For professors who post powerpoint slides in pdf form, try out “Okular.” It’s a free universal document viewer that works on multiple platforms. When you open a pdf file, press f6 or go to Tools->Review a small panel should pop up. At the very top of this panel, when you hover your mouse over it, is called Note[1]. Click it and it should say “Text Annotation” at the top, now click anywhere on the pdf file to add a tiny icon. Double-Click this and type in whatever you want.

By: C

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 23:06:54 +0000

How about when professors post power point slides in pdf form? Such that you can only open them as pdf’s. Typically, students print the slides out, 4 per page, and then fill in extra information during class. The professors who do this also don’t post complete slides, with information blanks on the actual slides.

Any ideas?

By: Jon Lew

Jon Lew — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:38:03 +0000

I find it hard to stay awake in classes, even when I’m taking notes. This often occurs in lectures with lecturers with foreign accents (large number of these), or lecturers who give very disorganized lectures. Thankfully, my lectures are often webcasted. Interestingly, I can actually stay awake when I listen to these at my own pleasure. Any recommendations? (I’m a CS major too)

By: QmartRage

QmartRage — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:53:12 +0000

This is what i do at medschool, where EVERYTHING is powerpoint… one thing that you can do to slim down the amount of paper that you use is to use the “layout” feature when ur printing to put multiple notes pages on a single printed page; also, you can remove the slide all together when in the “master notes” mode of powerpoint

By: dave

dave — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:44:56 +0000

Old school technique for anyone who can’t use a laptop: From the syllabus you know what chapters are being covered. Bring the book(s). If the book allows write your notes in the margin or write in a notebook. If writing in a notebook make sure to note the textbook page the lecture is clarifying or adding to. When you get your powerpoint information, add your notes from class then. Remember, your notes should be short hand and need only help to spark your memory for when you fill in the details around the PowerPoint notes. For anyone with bad handwriting – practice and improve.

By: DottyWine

DottyWine — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:35:15 +0000

My classes are basically math classes (i’m too lazy to explain it all again) so I guess I have to study with a laptop and a notebook open.

By: taking case notes with a word processor

taking case notes with a word processor — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:08:12 +0000

[...] as usual. … I use Microsoft OneNote to take notes for those who aren’t familiar with this …http://www.calnewport.com/blog/?p=194Study Hacks &187 Blog Archive &187 Monday Master Class: How to Take …In this case, take notes in a [...]