Cornell Note Taking System

Student academic skills center

Dr. Marsha UrbanRusty Walker

Nanci Fowler Morgan

Student academic skills center

Cornell Note Taking System consists of things you do:

Before During After class

Student academic skills center

Supplies

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

Student academic skills center

Before Class

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.

Student academic skills center

During Class

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.)

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 sub-points, facts, ideas, and how the ideas are developed, so you can follow their line of thought.

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During class (cont.)

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

Immediately review your notes• 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.)

Within 24 hours• Reduce your notes to important points in the

recall column.• Write each point as a question.

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After class (cont.)

Over time• 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

Before class• Prepare.• Review lecture notes.

During class• Actively listen.• Record information in a neat, concise manner.

After class• Review immediately.• Within 24 hours, reduce key points in the recall column.• Review over time—review each week.