<p>I know this may seem like a silly question, but I’d really like to hear your opinions on how to take notes in class at Stanford. Do most students use laptops for their notes? Audio-recorders? Etc. </p>
<p>Being so close to Silicon Valley, are the classrooms relatively high tech? Do a lot of teachers post notes/slideshows online?</p>
<p>I would imagine that note taking skills are critical for success at any college. Unfortunately for me, I’ve never really needed to do so in high school (I basically just tune out, read the book, and show up for the test). Any tips would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, predominantly laptops. But plain old notebooks are around too. :)</p>
<p>In the classes that I went to, mostly all of the teachers used powerpoint presentations or some sort of technology. Most assignments are found online, especially in areas like computer science. I’ve also seen students watch movies a lot for assignments in lithum classes.</p>
<p>Almost every class has a “coursework” site on which relevant information is posted (Syllabi, handouts etc.) The extent to which it is used is different. CS classes have class websites which have info and handouts on them, while humanities classes just do everything through the coursework system. </p>
<p>I personally don’t take notes in any of my classes but i’m a lazy slacker bum. From what I’ve seen it’s either laptops or regular notebooks. Almost every kid with a laptop is on facebook or doing some other work. </p>
<p>Alot of CS and engineering classes are available to watch online via SCPD so you don’t have to go to them.</p>
<p>At Stanford I don’t think note taking is that key, at least not for me. For IHUM I never showed up and never read the books and got a B. Just don’t write horrible essays, say intelligent stuff during discussion section and you will usually be fine. If you want to get an A though you will just need to be a really talented writer.
As for engineering type classes, I didn’t take notes in those either, just because i’m a visual learner. but i guess you could if you want</p>
<p>Hmm. It seems to me that the majority of students take notes, so I don’t think it’s fair to say that note taking isn’t that key You just must be exceptionally quick and intelligent.</p>
<p>Especially in classes like organic chemistry, I wouldn’t learn a darn thing if I didn’t take notes. I agree, though, that in IHUM (in retrospect) I probably didn’t need to take notes.</p>
<p>I generally prefer to take notes on my laptop if a lecture is highly verbal, for example, in psychology. I just write slowly, and so I just spend all my time scribbling instead of really listening and learning if I try to use a pencil. Typing allows me to actually process some of the info as well. Math and chem are two examples of classes where handwriting is better because you’ll need to draw.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say i’m intelligent (well exceptionally that is), since I don’t get exceptionally good grades, just a visual/auditory learner … lucky i know.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, laptops seem to be the way to go.</p>
<p>pyleela-- after just scanning that sight, I think it looks pretty informative. Thanks a bunch, I’ll try to test out some of those methods throughout my 2nd sem.</p>
<p>Really? I haven’t noticed that many people taking notes on laptops, except in larger lectures like IHUM or CS106. It also seems like a very large fraction of those “taking notes” on laptops are actually “multitasking”, aka doing work for other classes, IMing, sending emails, etc.</p>
You just must be exceptionally quick and intelligent.</p>