I can't copy your PowerPoints, you're going too fast!
Yeah, that's because the PowerPoints are there to act as an outline for what I'm lecturing on at that moment, not for you to write down word-for-word.
Just in case that wasn't really clear, I'll try this:
Don't try to write them down word-for-word. Don't try to write them down word-for-word. Don't try to write them down word-for-word.
I see a lot of people start to scribble when the PowerPoints come up, but before I've even started speaking. Concentrate on what I'm saying and only glance at the PPs if you're trying to establish where I am on an outline basis. One of the best ways to remedy this is to get together with some of your classmates regularly (not just at a cram session the night before the final) to fill in each other's notes, etc. Start a Wiki- or forum page where you can compile notes together to make sure you have everything. Heck, at this point, you can probably pay some service to download the notes for my class (I don't have a problem with this from an instrumentalistic standpoint, but you had better hope they're correct). Learning is done better when it's done in groups, anyhow. Classes have never been (and never will be) designed to allow you to absorb 100% of the information with you just sitting in the chair. You need to study.
Suggestions:
Just in case that wasn't really clear, I'll try this:
Don't try to write them down word-for-word. Don't try to write them down word-for-word. Don't try to write them down word-for-word.
I see a lot of people start to scribble when the PowerPoints come up, but before I've even started speaking. Concentrate on what I'm saying and only glance at the PPs if you're trying to establish where I am on an outline basis. One of the best ways to remedy this is to get together with some of your classmates regularly (not just at a cram session the night before the final) to fill in each other's notes, etc. Start a Wiki- or forum page where you can compile notes together to make sure you have everything. Heck, at this point, you can probably pay some service to download the notes for my class (I don't have a problem with this from an instrumentalistic standpoint, but you had better hope they're correct). Learning is done better when it's done in groups, anyhow. Classes have never been (and never will be) designed to allow you to absorb 100% of the information with you just sitting in the chair. You need to study.
Suggestions:
- Come up with a good outlining/note-taking system in which you can write down the main concepts fast and then fill in later when your notes trigger what you remember from the lecture. It might take you time to develop a good outline-based note-taking strategy. It probably took me two years (at least) until I had a system that I thought really worked for me. Developing this type of system now will help you down the road, later in life.
- Study with a group to fill in gaps.
- Start a class forum or a Wiki to compile notes with your classmates.
- Ask me questions at the beginning of class, during office hours, or via some form of electronic communication. I'm always surprised (I'm actually surprised that I'm surprised about this) when students complain that they can't take down all of the notes they need, etc., and then don't ask me questions at the beginning of the next class when I ask if there are any questions! Stop complaining! It reinforces a bad behavior that you're already good at but that won't do you any good--use this time to learn something new (like how to take notes more efficiently, how to study better, or, better yet, the course's content).