Why does David go to Professor Smith for help?

M: Can I talk to you for a minute, Professor Smith?
W: Sure, David. What can I do for you?
M: I didn’ t get a copy down all the terms you mentioned in today’ s lecture, and I know they were important.
W: Do you remember what parts of the lecture you have trouble with?
M: Er, not really.
W: Mmm, can I take a look at your notes?
M: Sure.
W: Mmm, interesting.
M: What?
W: David, just by looking through your notes from today and from last week’ s classes I can tell that you’ ve been missing a lot of the important information for my lectures. Your notes are rather incomplete.
M: What’s wrong? I thought I took good notes.
W: Mmm, not exactly. I think your note-taking skill needs some improvement.
M: Oh.
W: What I suggest is that you copy down the key points that I put on the board at the start of each class. That way you can follow along and keep up with the main ideas of the lecture.
M: OK.
W: Second, use the key points to help you fill in the details that develop each main point. Don’ t worry about writing down everything I say word for word. It looks you were trying to do that. Focus on understanding the organization of the lecture, that will help you find the most important information you should write down.
M: All right. Thanks, Professor Smith.
W: Oh, and one more thing, you might find it useful to shorten word than use special marks, that can save you a lot of time.