Grasping the Main Idea

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One of the most difficult times to ever take notes is in the heat of the battle. Your professor may be on a rant that has all of your attention, you are enjoying the lecture and are so intrigued by the choice of words your instructor is using that you have no thought to even write down any notes. On the other hand there are instances where you may be so bored by something a professor could be saying that you have turned your attention to doodling. Focusing on the instance where you are so caught up in such a strong presentation, a great tip that will allow you to listen, but also not lose track of some of the main points of your professor's lecture. Remaining focused with a pen in your hand or your fingers on your laptop will allow you to instantly write down the main idea or argument being made, allowing you to expand later on by memory or with a fellow classmate. If the information you are hearing begins to come repetitive, it is still important to remain attentive and ensure that you understand the premise of what is being covered.

Lectures are a big part of college, different professors base their entire course schedule around them, and it is their opportunity to introduce ideas to students in the most direct way. As they speak, they can instantly read the reaction of his or her students, knowing where they need to dive in further and expand, while also knowing when enough has been said and they are free to move on. For students this can occur as well, you can read a professor's body language and know when they may be just trying to reach out to the select few who are having a tough time grasping a topic. The most important thing to do, whether this lecture carries any weight or not, is to take down a portion of the information so you are able to recall the event and be able to make references to it if you have any questions for a fellow classmate or your instructor. You need to remember that each step over the course of a semester has an objective and when you miss the slightest main idea, you could find yourself back tracking longer than you wish. The real advantage comes later on when you are able to expand further on any ideas in your own time.

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