Final answer:
Jim can improve his lecture understanding by asking if lecture outlines are available online, taking careful notes, utilizing online resources like quizzes, reading assignments twice, and actively engaging with a reading journal.
Step-by-step explanation:
One organizational step that Jim can take on the first day to help understand his notes is to ask whether outlines are available online. This allows Jim to have a structured guide to what will be covered in lectures. Additionally, Jim can benefit from other strategies such as taking careful notes during class, utilizing the help of student learning centers to improve note-taking skills, and engaging with web-based sample quizzes or other online resources provided by the professor.
By following other effective study habits like reading each assignment twice, once before and once after it is discussed in class, and maintaining a reading journal for active engagement, Jim can enhance his understanding and retention of material. Creating concise outlines before exams, comparing them with those of other students, and organizing ideas through the use of graphic organizers or diagrams can further assist Jim in mastering the lecture content.