Peer Notetakers

Peer notetaking assistance is provided as an accommodation for students whose documented disabilities interfere with their ability to take good notes. Notes are an essential tool for studying and learning, so the services of a competent and reliable notetaker provide important support for a student with a disability.

Register to Become a Peer Notetaker

Complete the following steps: 

  1. Review the Notetaker Responsibilities and Guidelines for Effective Note Taking
  2. Complete the Peer Notetaker Application
  3. Receive confirmation email and complete the Miscellaneous Expense Voucher for payment 

Important Information for Notetakers

Notetakers are paid a stipend at the end of the semester. Notetakers who take notes for only part of the term will receive a prorated stipend. 

Stipends: 

  • For one student, full semester: $115 per course  
  • For two students in the same class: $165
  • ADS will specify the rate for other arrangements
  • Attend class regularly and arrive on time. If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to arrange for notes to be provided to the ADS student. It is recommended that you and the ADS student make a prior arrangement with another classmate who is willing to share class notes if you are absent.
  • Share notes within 24 hours of class
    • Notes should be legible, organized and comprehensive
    • Notes can be uploaded to the Note-taker Network in Accommodate or shared with the ADS student in a way that works for both of you 
  • Keep the identity of the ADS student confidential by not discussing the student with friends or classmates
  • Inform ADS if you drop the course or are no longer able to provide notes

Clarity

  • use ink to handwrite notes (so they’re clear when copying or scanning)
  • date and number each page of your notes

Follow Instructor’s Guidance

  • copy what the instructor writes on the board
  • when the instructor refers to text pages, write the page numbers in your notes
  • star information the instructor says is important or will be on the test

Format Your Notes

  • draw a box around items that should stand out (i.e., class assignments, due dates, test dates)
  • underline key terms
  • use abbreviations to speed up the note taking process (be sure the student understands them)

Organization

  • leave blank spaces (so it is easier to see the organization of ideas and to add/edit information)
  • write primary and secondary points and provide details to elaborate
  • include examples to explain a concept