November 2--2nd posting--ONLY FOR SECTION 16 STUDENTS

Greetings to English 1A, section 16 students only. The note below is from your student mentor, Divya.
(She has also asked me to remind you that she would be more than happy to take a look at your rough draft of essay 3.)

Hello! I hope all of you had an AWESOME Halloween!

I have been putting this off for a long time because I have not found time to work on notecards. Take my advice, NEVER take seven classes (plus mentoring) in the same semester…it’s a heavy load! Anyway, I finally found time to address this one! (I apologize in advance for the long response)

1) What is your name and number on the syllabus?

My name is Divya Golconda, and you can catch me by my email: ddance2@hotmail.com. All of you can contact me anytime if you have questions about dorm life, classes, resources…anything!! I’m here for your benefit!

2) How do I take good notes in a long-lecture class?

Oh, geez, a loaded question. It really depends on how long you actually consider a long class…I have had classes that are 50 minutes long, and classes that are three hours long!

Honestly, a lot of it is figuring out what works best for you. Some people find that it works the best to read the material before you come to class and some people find that it is easier to read the material after you come to class (for me it is after). As far as notes go, some people find that hand-to-hand note taking helps them retain their information better. For me, if I am allowed to use a laptop, I tend to keep it on hand and use it, just because I generally type faster, and because my word document also has a feature that allows you to record professors lectures (which you can transfer onto mp3 and download them into your ipod). However, sometimes, I do write my notes up (which I have to do because I cannot read my own writing sometimes), because then going and typing them up on the computer helps me retain the information as well. Sometimes, the professor also posts slides online for the lectures. Also, if you have a question for the professor, I would ask it! In this way, you can understand the material fully, and the professor will also notice that you are paying attention. I would show up to class with the slides already printed out, and add on to these slides (because the professors always go a little more in depth). There are also some exams that have material from both the lecture and the book, so I do recommend not skipping.

Also (generically), don’t write what the professor says word for word, because you will find it is slowing you down. Don’t take full sentences as well, but take notes on whatever is put on the board, because chances are that will be on the exam.

Hope this helped!! If you have any further questions, please email me at ddance2@hotmail.com.