Preparing for class:

The lecture outlines are intended to follow the in class lectures, but they do not contain everything that we cover in class. Use the outlines to help you remember important concepts, names, events and for purposes of organization. If you are absent, consult the course web page for the relevant outline or download the lecture presentation. Then borrow a set of notes to copy.  Don't wait to the last minute to look at these. Procrastinating is a habit you will want to break if you intend to succeed in college.

Make sure you've read the chapter before coming to class. If a lecture is on the Persian Wars, and you haven't any idea who Darius, Leonidas, or Xerxes were or what they did, you are going to be lost and your notes may be poorly organized. It simply makes sense to start getting familiar with the terminology if you will need to use it on the test.

If you have a few minutes before class, you have enough time to read through the notes from the previous class. Reviewing what what was covered in the previous class will help remind you of the topic and focus you for class. In addition, it's a good way to begin reviewing before the next test.

Taking Notes: Links: Effective Notetaking

Unfortunately, many students don't know how to listen to lectures. First, listen for the little pieces of information, like names, dates and events. Second, listen for themes and main concepts. Some instructors will begin class by announcing "Today, we're looking at the impact of the Industrial revolution, or We're going to discuss the role of slavery in the Roman Empire."  This is a pretty clear indication that details you record in your notes will bring the whole picture into focus. Pay attention to both types of information.

During the lecture, record facts and ideas that seem to be the most important. Skip a space between paragraphs dealing with each main point. Underline, capitalize, or use symbols such as a star an asterisk to remind you of major points. Put a check make beside points that the instructor repeats; if a point is repeated or a name is mentioned 4 or 5 times over a period of a week or two, it is probably important. Do not worry about outlining or using complete sentences, but write legibly. Just make sure your notes make sense to you after the lecture is over.

Remember some of the points made in class may not be covered in the textbook. Some topics in the lecture may go into more detail than the text. Always make it a habit to attend class (see the attendance policy on the syllabus). Review notes after each class, making sure you understand what you have written. If you use abbreviations, make sure that you understand them clearly.

Studying for Exams:     Links: Memory and the Importance of Review; Managing Your Time and Study Environment; Managing Your Time; Tips for taking Multiple-Choice Tests

Use the first few minutes of each class period to ask questions about previous notes or readings, to clear up any misunderstandings, or to fill in missing pieces of information. Read the textbook before the material is covered in class. If you read the textbook after the class period, consider taking notes about main ideas from the text in the margins of your class notes.

When you prepare for examinations, review your outlines, class notes, and notes from the textbook. Use the Chapter Objectives & Review Questions to help you organize the material around important concepts, theories, or events. Use some or all of the following strategies:

1. Review your notes frequently to make sure you remember the information. Cram -- crash and burn.
2. Write outlines for each of the sample essay questions.
3. Answer questions aloud as an oral exercise for yourself.
4. Begin preparing a week or two in advance so you don’t need to cram or rely entirely on memorization.
5. As you study for the essay and identification sections of an examination:  ask yourself who, what, when, where, why (significance)
6. As you study for the essay section of an examination, think about how you would introduce your essay and present your evidence.

Create an environment conducive to studying:

1. Find a QUIET place to where you will not be disturbed --  to study effectively, you need to remained focused on the task
2. Gather all the materials needed for studying, so you won't need to stop and search for them
3. Reduce the noise level and the visual distractions to acceptable levels.
4. Avoid relaxing while working, create a work atmosphere. It's OK to take a break and then get back to work with a fresh focus. Experts suggest that students shouldn't study for more than 50 or 60 minutes at a time without a break. It's difficult to stay focused for long periods of time.

When to study

1. Determine the times you are most focused. Are you a morning person or an evening person?
2. Study when you are not likely to be distracted.
3. Study is most effective when you have had sufficient rest. Pulling all nighters will not adequately prepare you for taking tests. When you have to take 3 or 4 finals in a row during final exam week, you'll need to be rested to be able to stay focused. Exams are stressful and drain energy.
4. Stop studying when your attention begins to wander.

Commonly Used Note-Taking Abbreviations

> Increase                 < Decrease               -> Caused
ex.  Example              def. Definition           e.g. For Example
w/o  Without              w/   With                  w/in  Within
b/c  Because              i.e. That is
av  Average               = Equal                    re.   Regarding            vs.  Versus

Make up your own abbreviations for key names or terms:
pol = political, politics, politician, polis
Xer = Xerxes
GW = George Washington
Abe = Abraham Lincoln
arg. = argument
obj. = objection

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