Being a Non Traditional Student majoring in History, I am assigned large amounts of reading homework.   I looked around at my fellow classmates and noticed the use of colored highlighter pens.  This seemed like a good idea, so I dug out an old highlighter from the desk and went at it.   I ended up with a text book that looked like a 1st grader’s coloring book.   (I did note to myself….at least I colored within the lines!!)   Too much of a good thing is never the best.   Concurrently with this escapade with a yellow highlighter, I was taking my CG111 College Learning Skills Class.   Effective study skills – Highlighting Text was on the class schedule.    Save me from my over zealous use of a highlighter!!   The first thing we learned in this section will stick with me forever - just because it is highlighted, it does not mean it has been learned! Words to live by in college!!   I had pages in my Biology text that were 85% colored.   At most, effective highlighting will produce a passage or chapter that is no more than 20% highlighted.    Key factors for effective marking are; 1.  Underline or highlight the topic sentence completely (this is the only sentence in a text that will be completely highlighted.)  2.  Only highlight key phrases or ideas within the topic studied.   Try to only hit the key (important) words in each sentence, color should only be on the DETAILS.   3.  Circle important terms or new vocabulary words. (my system utilizes a different color for all vocab highlights.)  4.   Try to number or split out lists or steps by numbering them in the margins (again, here I use a separate color to highlight steps/lists)   5.   Use brackets or margin notes to separate large pieces of information that needs to be retained, only highlighting words that relate to the main point.

These 5 points to effective highlighting are essential when you go back to study for tests/papers.  By not giving color to non-essential information, you can use your study time wisely and focus on key phrases and vocab.   This system for highlighting applies to your note taking as well.   I always try to get back to my class notes as soon as possible to edit them.   If I do not use my highlighter during the note taking of the lecture, I make it a priority to go back after class and add my colors to the notes.   My colors, yes, I have decided upon a set group of colored highlighters that I will use throughout my college years.   I try to be very consistent with my highlighting of both notes and textbooks.

YELLOW:  TOPIC SENTENCES AND MAIN POINTS IN TEXTS/NOTES

PINK:  FOR BODY OF TEXT ONLY HIGHLIGHTING DETAILS – MINOR POINTS

BLUE:  RESERVED FOR NEW VOCABULARY WORDS OR SPECIFIC TERMS ON TESTS

GREEN:  LISTS AND STEPS.  A COLORED # OR MARK BY LISTS OF ITEMS.   CAN BE USED IN MARGINS.

The most important concept here is efficient information retrieval.   By only adding color highlights to 20-25% of the text and hitting the most important key phrases or details, your review of the material is focused.   Review of all of your notes or textbook materials before testing  will be funneled into an organized pattern.   “Never processed – never learned”

My learning style lends itself to a colored system like this.   I need to separate main points and vocabulary and lists of study materials in this visual way.   I learned this in the College Skills class (did I mention you should take one of these courses…VALUABLE)   Now, my notes and textbooks are colorful, but in an organized, concise way.   Leave the coloring books to my niece and nephew.   Everyone learns in a different way, and this color system may not fit your needs.   Some variation of these highlighting skills applies to all students, non trad or not.

Now that most of us are into our first few days of college as non traditional students, it is time to start working on the study skills portion of this blog.  I still have a small bit of summer break left (my classes do not start til 9/28)  and I am getting prepared for Fall Term as well.   One of my favorite blogs about older students returning to college is penned by Marybabysteps at the Never To Late For College blog.   This post link has some great points about note taking.   This is a skill that everyone can benefit from.   There are many styles and models for note taking.  I personally utilize the Cornell Method. It’s a system and a format that builds on what is known as the 5R’s of note taking. Record, Reduce, Recite, Reflect and Review. The format itself I find especially intriguing, the use of a “cue column” seeming really beneficial to those, like me, who tend to go pretty free form with their notes.   The method’s main claim to fame is the study and review enhancements to your note taking.    The note taker divides the paper into two columns: the note-taking column (usually on the right) is twice the size of the key word column (on the left). The student should leave five to six lines, or about two inches, at the bottom of the page. Notes from a lecture or teaching are written in the note-taking column; notes usually consist of the main ideas of the text or lecture, and long ideas are paraphrased. Long sentences are avoided; symbols or abbreviations are used instead. Relevant questions (which should be recorded as soon as possible so that the lecture and questions will be fresh in the student’s mind) or key words are written in the key word column. You then write a summary of the information on that bottom area of the page.

An important concept in the Cornell system is the “five Rs”.     I learned them as they relate to Cornell, however, these concepts are essential to any system you use to take notes;

1. Record. During the lecture, as many meaningful facts as possible are recorded.

2. Reduce. As soon after class as possible, ideas and facts are concisely summarized in the Recall Column. Summarizing clarifies meanings and relationships, reinforces continuity, and strengthens memory.

3. Recite. Most of the page is covered and the student tries to recall as much of the lecture as possible, using only what has been written in the Recall Column. This procedure helps to transfer the facts and ideas to the long term memory.

4. Reflect. The student’s own opinion is distilled from the notes. This also has the effect of training the mind to find and categorize vital information, leading to more efficient memorization.

5. Review. The student reviews the notes briefly but regularly. Because of the highly condensed nature of the notes, the student remembers a significant amount of material.

The concepts of Cornell notes can be modified to suit  your needs for every type of class.   For example, when I took notes for Math 060, I still utilized the two column format, but my notes were more specific for each point (algebraic formulas…etc.).    Where my History 203 notes were not as specific and focused on the concepts and facts of a time period studied.    The end result in using the notes as a study guide were the same.    I needed to focus on highly detailed specifics and “how to” points for Math, and by using the concepts of the 5 Rs I was able to organize my study time better.     This system takes some getting used to, and some discipline to keep up with, but in the long run, you will benefit greatly.    I found a great .PDF file online about the Cornell System.   The format of your note pages is illustrated here.

The key concept here is:  NOTE TAKING SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT!   Develop a system that works for you, everyone learns differently.   Take a College Study Skills class if your institution offers one, it will be a great investment in your Non Traditional Student Journey!!

I have finalized my schedule for my fall term classes.  Plan to take more history for fun, more math to fulfill requirements and an English Lit class for my Bac core class requirements.   Also have plans to do an independent study series in History.   Full load, how to deal with this?   One of the best classes that I could have ever taken first term back as a Non Traditional Student was “College Skills” CG111.    I wholeheartedly recommend any form of this class for a non trad.   This course teaches you how to study, take notes and take tests.   I’m sure that most institutions have some course like this.   One of the key points learned was what type of learner you are…visual, auditory or Kinesthetic (hands on…)    Tailoring your note taking and study habits to one of these three types is essential to your success.

Although this summer term…..I should practice what I preach….just like my father always said….

Don’t do as I do, Do as I say!!

I’m putting together a post on the Cornell Note Taking System.    I find that this one really helps with organization and further study of your class notes.

This online program appears to have some real potential check it out…every little bit helps

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