Adapted from Cornell Note-taking
Start by setting up your note pages into this format:
Split your page into three sections. Reserve the bottom 2 inches of the page as the “Summary Column.” Above this, reserve the left two and a half inches as the “Cue Column.” Reserve the remaining main section (six inches wide) as the “Notes Column.”
Summary Column:
- For top level, main ideas
- Use as a quick reference area
- When?
- After class
- During review
Cue Column:
- Main Ideas
- Questions that connect points
- Diagrams
- Study Prompts
- When?
- After class
- During review
Notes Column:
- Main lecture notes here
- Use concise sentences
- Use shorthand symbols
- Use abbreviations
- Use lists
- Put space between points
- When?
- During class
Record
- Write telegraphically: Do not write out every word, use abbreviations, symbols, etc.
- Write on the right side of the page (Notes section in the above diagram)
Identify the Main Question or Idea
- Write these on the left side of the page
- Can be a keyword, phrase, question or diagram
Recite
- Say out loud what you have learned in your own words
- Cover up the right side of your notes and recite the keywords, phrases, questions until you can answer them or provide detail on your own
Reflect
- How does the information fit with what you already know?
- Make it personal, create examples, analogies
- After reflecting, add comments, illustrations, and questions in your notes
- As you reflect you will take OWNERSHIP of the information
Review
- Review should be regular and routine
- Use Distributed Practice:
- The 1st review should occur after working for one hour and after your break – Study, take a break, review
- The 2nd review should be within one day of the first review
- The 3rd review should be within one week of the second review
- The 4th review should be within a month or prior to a test