Note-Taking Strategies

Note-taking is one method of capturing information from a transient force. Notes are frequently written in notebooks although all sorts of papers may be used. One of the main objectives of recording down lectures on note format is that to implant the material in the mind. But even the notes are important when they turn into reference guides and study material. 

Importance of taking notes:

• Actively involves in a lecture while reading and listening.
• Keeps the mind focused.
• Provides study material for examinations.
• Transforms to an active participant.
• Serves as research references.
• Aids to academic success. 

Instances when notes should be taken:

• During lectures
• During tutorials
• When reading textbooks, journals etc.
• During class discussions.
• During study group sessions.
• When reviewing previous notes.

Developing a Portfolio

A portfolio can be addressed as a collection of works of an individual. A portfolio is normally maintained due to the fact that individuals often move form one career to another. This can also be referred to as a collection in progress.

A portfolio can be used to plan, develop, organize and maintain an individuals personal information, educational aspects, work samples, skills, and critical information.


A portfolio will support the ownership of the individual profile, enhance learning and experience and focus on ease of use.


Social Portfolio Websites:

• Whatfolio
• WordPress
• Mahara
• Timekiwi
• C2 Social
• Pixelloop
• Wix
• Linkedin

Dr. Diana Wyatt and Dr. Anna Graf Williams teach portfolio development to a group of EIU students:

Purpose of a Portfolio: 

• Creates and stores related documents
• Visualizes a reflection of the individual
• Aids for self evaluation and personal development
• Contains relevant examples and information

Components of a Portfolio:

1. Full contents list for each section
2. Self evaluation & profile sheets
3. A profile of technical & vocational skills you've developed
4. An up to date list of training & courses
5. Certificates (achievements, exams etc) 
6. An up-to-date list of your work experience
7. Your curriculum vitae (CV). (A careers adviser can help you to compile this.)
8. Your idea about where you’d like to be in 7 years time & what you need to do to achieve this(Target Planning: Plan >> Do >> Act >> Check )
9. Examples of your work & interests
10. Personal statement
11. Degree certificate & transcript

Identifying Our Skills

Think about something you do well, a difficulty you overcame, or a personal achievement, no matter how small. Write down all the elements that go into something you have done well.

• What did you do to create the conditions that led to success? 
• Which skills, attitudes and qualities did you exhibit? Did you practice? 
• Did you urge yourself on in a particular way? 
• Did you find people to help? Or did you just believe you could do it? 

Personal Achievement ~ Entering into the Engineering Faculty,    University of Peradeniya.  

What did you do to create the conditions that led to success? 

• Passed the Scholarship Examination in the year 2001 with 180/200 
• Passed the G.C.E (O/L) Examination in the year 2007 with 10 A’s 
• Passed the London (O.L) Examination in the year 2008 with 5 A’s 
• Passed the G.C.E (O/L) French Examination in the year 2009 with A 
• Passed the G.C.E (A/L) Examination in the year 2010 with 4 A’s and General Knowledge-92 
• Researched and gained extra knowledge on the subjects. 
• Attentive learning 
• Reading books on subject matters and other aspects of topics 
• Worked part time at MAS Holdings and gained extra knowledge in the field of interest 
• Getting involved n projects and assignments 

Which skills, attitudes and qualities did you exhibit? Did you practice? 

• Confidence 
• Planning 
• Determination 
• Time management 
• Practice 
• Risk management 
• Leadership 
• Main goal 
• Learning strategies 

Did you urge yourself on in a particular way? Work harder 

• Concentration
• Manage deadlines
• Dedication 
• Positive attitude 
• Do the best 
• Relaxation 

Did you find people to help? Or did you just believe you could do it?

"I believed that I can do it no matter what happens."

Theory of Opportunity

What is the theory of opportunity? This is a question that bothers a lot of readers. We all seek for answers. Basically, theory of opportunity consists of the following aspects;

• Confidence 

• Planning 

• Determination 

• Leadership(Team Work) 

• Time Management 

• Risk

An opportunity as we all know is a favorable junction where a chance is provided for an individual to advance through his/ her career and show progress. For this kind of circumstance,  the theory of opportunity helps an individual by showing the paths to develop by its well known aspects. 

By having a good understanding on an individuals potentials options, he/she is able to identify the requirements needed, and is able to determine the potential options that are not required. By identifying and having a good understanding about your own options, an individual can satisfy his/ her interests and values and use his/her skills and talents more wisely. 


Theory of opportunity helps in understanding;

• Who you are

• What you want

• Options available for your capabilities

Self-Evaluation ~ Monitoring Skills Development

Baseline(starting place):

Date:            Skill being  developed:

My current level of confidence in this skill (circle one):

1. Very low 
2. Low 
3. Ok 
4. High 
5. Very high

Aspects of this skill I have already  demonstrated:

Goal:

What I want  to be able to do (aspects, sub-skills, qualities  I want  to develop):

Record of progress:

Note down steps in your development of this skill. It is up to you to decide what progress means for you. It could be the achievement  of a personal goal (such as getting a particular mark for an assignment), or a small step towards one of your goals (such as asking a question in class for the first time, or developing a successful strategy for arriving on time if you find time management is a challenge).

Date	Achievement	How  you know
	(what I can do now that I couldn’t before)	(evidence or example)

Planner ~ Study Skills: Action Plan

Go back over your answers to the different exercises and the self-evaluations you completed for Chapters 1 and 2.Bring together the different ideas about your current strengths, the areas you wish to develop, and your priorities.

Date:

Summary  of my current strengths, skills and  qualities:  what  I have achieved so far

Summary  of what  I need to work on, develop or improve

My priorities: what  I am going  to do, when, and  how

How will I know that  I have improved? (E.g. What changes would  I expect in my work, in myself, or in the attitudes of others?)

Planner ~ Study Skills: Priorities, Stage 2

Column A Using the scoring from stage 1, decide whether each item really is a priority, whether it could wait, who else could do it, or any other options you have. 

Column B Number your priorities in order. Highlight in yellow the one you are going to work on next. Highlight it in red once you have worked on it. 

Column C Shows the pages of this Handbook related to the given study skill.

Study skill	A   Priority for action? Tick, or enter ‘can wait’  or other options	B	C  Pages
I am going  to find out how I learn best, and how to reflect upon/evaluate my work			65–70, 95
I am going  to be better motivated and learn to set myself manageable goals			90–4
I am going  to improve  my organisational and time-management skills			71–86, 131,  159
I am going  to develop strategies for getting started on a new task or assignment			71–2, 148–9
I am going  to improve  my research skills			Chs. 6, 9 and  10
I am going  to develop my reading skills			120–6
I am going  to improve  my note-making and organise and  use my notes  effectively			126–35
I am going  to use lecture  time effectively to get the best  out of lectures			138–9
I am going  to improve  my oral presentations			111–13
I am going  to make the most  of working with others  (groupwork, seminars, etc.)			Ch. 5
I am going  to develop my writing  skills			Chs. 7, 8 and  9
I am going  to make more  use of IT to help my academic study			84–6, 117, 167
I am going  to develop my critical and analytical  thinking  skills			Ch. 10
I am going  to improve  my memory strategies			Ch. 11
I am going  to develop good revision strategies and  exam techniques			Ch. 12