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Writing Great Notes!

Download ABMP’s popular “Active Reading Form” and “Integrated Note Form” to improve your note-taking skills now!

Note-Taking Forms

Your success in massage school will impact your ability to get a good job or start a massage practice. If you need to get the most out of your classes, then—Take 5!

Ways to Get More Out of Classes

Writing Great Notes!

Note taking is an important skill for your classroom success. Whether it’s from reading assignments, lectures, class discussions, or demonstrations, taking good notes helps you be a better student.

Although there are many ways to take good notes, it works well to have an organized method or system. Here are some examples.

The Informal Outline

In this system, you write out your notes in an outline form. Start with a heading (the main topic) and add supporting details using indents. Outlines work particularly well when taking notes from textbooks because the material will likely follow a well-organized structure.

Informal Outline Sample

Chapter Title: The History of Massage

  1. Early History
    1. Massage instinctual response to pain
    2. References to massage found around the world
    3. Medicine “ritualistic” “magical”
  1. Ancient China
    1. Cong Fou
      1. Medical document with references to massage
      2. 2700 BCE
    2. Nei Ching (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine)
      1. Age could be 1000 BCE
      2. Foundation of Chinese medicine concepts
      3. Includes references to massage-like treatments
  1. Ancient India
    1. The Vedas
      1. Documents written more than 5,000 years ago
      2. Describe Ayurvedic medicine
        1. Traditional medical system of India
        2. Doshas (vital energies)
          1. Vata: space and air
          2. Pitta: fire and water
          3. Kapha: water and earth

The Block Method

The block method works well when taking notes from lectures because it is faster. In this system, students record the topic heading and write all the other notes under the heading in a block format. Separate the information with dashes or slashes.

Block Method Sample

Lecture: The History of Massage

Early History – massage instinctual response to pain – massage references from around the world – medicine more ritualistic and magical.

Ancient China – Cong Fou – medical document w/references to massage – written 2700 BCE – Nei Ching (Yellow Emp Classic of Internal Med) – as old as 1000 BCE – outlines foundation of Chinese med concepts.

Ancient India – Vedas (4) – written 5,000 yrs ago – Ayurvedic medicine – traditional medical system of India – doshas – vital energies – vata = space and air, pitta = fire and water, kapha = earth and water.

Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers are visually oriented forms that provide structure for note taking. They are useful for lectures, especially if the instructor tends to jump around in his or her presentation. The graphic nature of the form helps organize the information so it is easier to recall later. The Cluster Map is a popular note-taking form, but other forms might also be used. Access a number of different graphic organizers at www.abmp.com.

Table Forms

Table forms, like the Compare and Contrast Attributes Chart, work well when you’re taking notes during a discussion. They allow you to fill in different attributes identified by your classmates as the discussion moves around the floor. Access a number of different table forms at www.abmp.com.

Active Reading Form and Integrated Notes Form

The Active Reading Form and Integrated Note Form are good to use when you want to keep all of your notes for a particular topic in one place. Capture key words and terms in the left column, reading notes in the middle, and detail from the instructor’s lecture on the right. Find these forms in the Picked Fresh section of this newsletter.

Other Ideas for Great Notes

  • Use color in your notes by highlighting key words or placing related materials in the same pen color.
  • Keep a vocabulary list of unfamiliar words and their definitions.
  • When possible, take reading notes from your textbook before listening to instructor lectures on the same topic.
  • Take brief notes that jog your memory. There is no need to write in full sentences or to fully spell out all words.
  • Review your notes regularly to move information into long-term memory.
  • Copy and share your notes with your classmates and obtain copies of their notes. This way you review a broader range of information and may pick up information you missed.