Note-taking — CORNELL SYSTEM
The Cornell System is a very powerful method to use in standard information-gathering classes. It turns your lecture notes into study materials and helps you quickly record the major points of the lecture after class, which will help you remember the “big picture”.
- DURING class: Take notes in hierarchical style (major point is flush-left; indent for items under this, etc.), leaving a wider space to the left than usual.
- AFTER class (as soon as possible, same-day): repair any problems (unclear abbreviations, spots left open for checking with other student/prof, etc.).
- AFTER class (as soon as possible, same-day): use the left-hand column to jot down questions/cues for remembering the notes to their right. The bottom inch or two of the page can be used for summary of the lecture (or for potential essay questions).
- BEFORE the next class: test yourself on the material by covering the notes and answering questions in your left-hand & bottom cue spaces.
- BEFORE the test (as soon after taking the notes as practical): reformat the material for easier study (see Studying Strategies).