Every student knows it is important to take notes in class. But the skill of note-taking isn’t only used in school. Adults need to take ________ in meetings or training sessions for work. So here are some tips to help you develop this key skill.

Begin with the date and the topic of the class. This may seem clear, but it’s easy to forget. It will help you keep your notes ________.

Focus on the most important points. Trying to write down everything the speaker says will only frustrate(使沮丧) you. ________, listen for the key ideas the person wants to communicate.

If the speaker uses a PowerPoint you may not need to copy the slides(幻灯片). Ask if the PowerPoint will be available afterward. If so, you can pay attention to ________ the things the speaker says. Or you can take a picture with a phone. Meanwhile, the PowerPoint or a document(文件) with notes may be available before the class or meeting. If so, print it out so you can write notes on it.

Think about ________ you want to take notes by hand or with a computer. Writing notes by hand has been shown to help you remember things better. But with a ________, notes are easier to organize. Perhaps it’s best to combine the two ways. Write notes by hand first, and then type them up as part of your review. Think about different note-taking ways. If you’re a new learner, ________ drawing a chart or picture. Another way is to write an outline ________ facts described as examples.

________ your notes again after taking them. This will give you the chance to add any information that you didn’t write down. It’s best to do this as soon as possible so that you don’t forget anything. This extra review will also increase your chances of ________ what you wrote.

Note-taking is a practical skill, so it’s important to practice doing it well.