INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Teachers assign notes so that you will be familiar with the topic being discussed in class. If you do the assigned notes before class, you'll already know many of the background details. Then you can focus your note-taking on key concepts. Read through your notes from the previous lecture before class as well. This will help you get back up to speed on where you last left off in the class. If your teacher provides outlines, PowerPoint slides, or even a basic summary of the upcoming lecture, use it to your advantage. Think of it as the framing for a house, which you will then complete and furnish with your note-taking. It may be tempting to just print out that lecture outline or slideshow and figure you can skip note-taking during class -- or just jot down a few things on the printout here and there. But it is much better to use these materials to structure your notes. This is the best way to process information, which is after all the goal of note-taking. Many students are more comfortable typing than writing, but there are still reasons to consider the tried-and-true method of putting pen to paper. Some studies indicate that students who hand-write notes are more able to comprehend and recall lecture material than those who type. It can be easier to fall into transcription mode on a laptop. This is when where you try to type everything said instead of actively discerning what is most important to write down. Writing things down by hand can help you achieve greater focus. On the other hand, using a laptop or other electronic device makes it easier to format, save, edit, share, and read notes (with no worries about messy handwriting). Note-taking aids available on laptops are nearly endless, such as: "notebook layout" formatting on Microsoft Word, etc.; software that connects a recording of the lecture to your notes; note organization programs that let you unite materials of various type and formats, such as emails and PDFs; and collaborative note-taking platforms that allow you to team up with others to take notes in real time. These may be lifesavers or distractions for you. Only you can judge what works best. Some instructors and institutions ban the use of laptops in class, so don't discount the need to know how to write notes by hand. Choose a spot in the class where you will have few distractions. Then you will be able to pay attention better and take better notes. Find a spot where you can see and hear the lecturer clearly. You should also be able to see the board clearly. Show up to class a little early to ensure you get your pick of seats. If you find yourself distracted by noisy fellow students, an air conditioning vent, or an unfortunate glare on the projector screen, discreetly move to a new seat if you can do so without causing a significant disruption. Otherwise, do your best this time and find a new spot for the next time. If you take notes by hand, bring extra pens or pencils and paper. If you take notes on a laptop or other electronic device, make sure it is sufficiently charged and ready to go as soon as class begins. Some people prefer using loose note sheets so they can lay them out on the table or floor when studying, while others find bound notebooks more tidy. Make sure your notes are clearly labeled for future reference. Write the date of the lecture and the topic at the top of each page. If you have multiple pages of notes, include page numbers as well. This will help you keep your notes in order. The more orderly your notes are at creation, the easier they will be to understand, revise, and study. One option is the outline format, especially if the lecture is clearly structured and/or presented in such a manner. In this format, you'll have section headings. Underneath each section heading, write down ideas in bullet form and supplementary ideas with indented sub-bullets. This is much better than just writing down everything as a new point. Be warned that lecturers are not always organized about following main points with subpoints. Keep in mind that you may have to reorganize your notes after the lecture.

SUMMARY: Complete notes before the day's lecture. Check for online course materials and lecture outlines. Consider the pros and cons of typing notes during a lecture. Sit near the front of the room. Make sure you are well-stocked with note-taking supplies. Label your paper with the date and topic of the lecture. Consider formatting options for your notes.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: After your loved one is released from the hospital, it will be up to you to know the medications and therapies needed by the stroke survivor. This is an important role, and one that should not be taken lightly. It will greatly benefit your loved one's health if you help her maintain a schedule for medicine and therapy. List all medications and times when the patient will take them. Make sure your loved one does not run out of any necessary medicine. Planning ahead is very important to avoid delays in therapy. Understand the side effects of any medications prescribed to your loved one. Be on the lookout for any of these side effects. Discuss the administration of your loved one's medicines with her doctor. Recognize if the medicine should be administered orally or if it should be crushed in food. Know if it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach. Adherence to doctor's appointments should also be followed to ensure that any problems that may occur during rehabilitation are managed early. This will help to prevent complications of delayed treatment. You will likely need to remind your loved one of the appointment and arrange a ride for them to the clinic. Make keeping track of your loved one's medication and therapy easy on yourself by writing notes or setting alarms on your phone. Look for apps designed to remind you when to administer medication and utilize planners and calendars that are prominently displayed. Forgive yourself if you make a mistake. If you are late giving a pill or going to a therapy session, don't beat yourself up. Feeling guilty will not benefit your loved one nor yourself. It's wise to attend at least one therapy session in order to become better acquainted with exercises and activities that the stroke survivor must practice at home. While the therapist is performing the exercise with the stroke survivor, try also doing it with him. Having the therapist present while learning the exercises is helpful. The therapist can correct or help you improve how you help the stroke survivor during therapy exercises. Knowing the goal of rehabilitation (that is, the expected outcome or outcomes) will help you better understand the time frame of rehabilitation and the progress that is being made. It can also help you push the patient further in performing her therapy exercises. Encourage your loved one not to quit on her therapy goals. Rehabilitation after a stroke can be very difficult, and it is important that you encourage your loved one to keep striving toward her goals. Oftentimes, gains in abilities can take up to six months to one year after a stroke. It is very important to partake in therapy routinely to continue to progress forward. Recognize any improvements and address non-improvement too. If your loved one is not improving after a long time in rehabilitation, speak with the doctor or therapist about adjusting the therapy regimen. There are several situations during your loved one's rehab where you may need to make a special trip to the doctor. Especially during rehabilitation, when your loved one is pushing his body to recover from a serious brain injury, it is important to keep a vigilant eye on his health. Do not ignore any falls. Falls are quite common during rehabilitation. The falls can cause further damage to the patient and worsen the condition. The patient should be taken to the hospital for a medical checkup in the case of a fall so that all serious medical issues can be ruled out. Remember that your loved one is at an increased risk of suffering from another stroke within a year of his first stroke. Know the warning signs of a stroke and know who to call if you see your loved one experiencing any of these warning signs, including: Face drooping Arm weakness Speech difficulty Sudden numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

SUMMARY:
Memorize your loved one's medication and therapy program. Acquaint yourself with therapy exercises and activities. Know the rehabilitation goals made by the therapist and the stroke survivor. Know when to call the doctor.