I like to have a legal pad with key points I'm seeking information on written horizontally across the top of the page. Then when the student shares something relevant to that key point I write a key word or phrase underneath that key point. At the end of the interview it allows me to thoroughly summarize what the student has shared in an organized and relevant context for the student to reflect upon.
Salma, Excellent! Do you review the notes you took with your student to make sure you heard them fully?
Dr. Jean Norris
The one practice that has always helped me take accurate notes is to repeat what I have gathered and to make sure I received the correct information.
When I take notes I follow an interview question but as I'm taking notes I try to prioritize to organize my next questions.
When I interview each prospective student, I have a form outline that keeps me focused on certain questions and I am then able to write their answers on this form without really looking away from them. This has been a great tool for me when I take notes as we talk.
