Transcript Cornell Note-Taking System

Cornell Note Taking System
Student academic skills center
Dr. Marsha Urban
Rusty Walker
Nanci Fowler Morgan
Cornell Note Taking System consists of
things you do:
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Before
During
After class
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Supplies
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Use a three ring binder,
so you can organize
your notes and insert
any handouts where
appropriate.
Use an 8.5” x 11” sheet
of paper with a 2.5” left
margin.
Recall Column
Notes Column
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Before Class
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Review notes from the previous class either the night before or
just before class begins.
Use about 15 minutes to review major ideas, points of interest,
or facts.
Practice the material by reciting, formulating lists, or thinking
about basic concepts. This active rehearsing will enable you to
remember the material better.
Review notes for questions you can ask the professor to clarify
points from the previous lecture.
Acquire some familiarity with the material by reading the
assignments before class. You will know what to expect and
how to organize your notes, so it will make the lecture easier to
understand.
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During Class
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Attend all classes.
Get to class early.
Sit up front—you’ll be more alert during
lecture.
Have an attitude of intention—listen actively,
take notes on what you hear, and leave with
great notes from which you can learn the
material with greater ease.
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During class (cont.)
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Take notes in short phrases or main words (you don’t need
“the” and “a”), use an outline formula if you would like, and use
the same symbols throughout your notes (“>” for the second
time a professor mentioned a concept or fact, “*” for the third
time a professor mentions a concept or fact.)
Listen to the speaker’s introduction, if there is one. This is often
a short outline of the lecture.
Listen to the speaker for announcements of the subject, the
questions raised, the main points, clarifying or qualifying subpoints, facts, ideas, and how the ideas are developed, so you
can follow their line of thought.
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During class (cont.)
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Copy what’s written on the board and
transparencies.
Look for signal words and phrases like: “the most
important,” “on the other hand,” “as a result,”
“remember that,” “finally,” “therefore,” and “the
important idea is that.”
If there is a summary at the end of lecture, pay close
attention to it. You can use this to organize your
notes.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions in class.
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After Class
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Immediately review your notes
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Stay in your seat and review your notes.
Identify key points, marking them with a symbol.
Identify points you need clarified.
Ask the professor your question before he/she
leaves or during the next class.
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After class (cont.)
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Within 24 hours
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Reduce your notes to important points in the
recall column.
Write each point as a question.
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After class (cont.)
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Over time
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Regularly review, recite, and practice. This
places the information in long-term memory.
Summarize the material into a few pages or
cards.
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Review
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Before class
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During class
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Prepare.
Review lecture notes.
Actively listen.
Record information in a neat, concise manner.
After class
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Review immediately.
Within 24 hours, reduce key points in the recall column.
Review over time—review each week.
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