Learn another effective way to make notes through the utilisation of the Cornell note-taking system.
What exactly is the Cornell note-taking system?
This method is an efficient way to take notes both during lectures and while studying for exams. It is named after the creation of the system at Cornell University.
History of the Cornell Method
The Cornell Method originated from Walter Pauk, a professor at Cornell University, during the 1950s and has proved to be an effective strategy for students aiming to create their own study guide and reference system within their notes.
Students are required to structure their notebooks identically for each day’s class. This includes placing their name, course title, date, and lecture topic at the top of every page.
- In-Class Notes: The width of the notes section on the page should be six inches, while the length should be nine inches. Students are encouraged to utilise brief, clear sentences and abbreviations. It is recommended to leave ample space between each entry to allow for future additions from reading or subsequent lectures.
- Cue Column: The width of the Cue Column should be 2.5 inches, and its length should be 9 inches. Once the class is over, promptly go over your notes and add queries or key terms related to the lecture material. Arrange these queries so they align with the corresponding information in the “notes” section. Utilise this section to test yourself periodically throughout the quarter; this approach will reduce the amount of studying required at the end of the quarter.
- Summary Section: Remember to utilise the summary section after class to jot down the key points from each page when writing cues. This technique will help you easily locate pertinent notes in your notebook when studying for quizzes and tests or writing papers.
Using this arrangement, students are expected to go over their notes regularly during the quarter. They are advised to the right side of the page covered and try to vocalise their responses to the questions in the “cue column.”
This self-testing will assist students in gauging their level of knowledge. Furthermore, this practice aids in transitioning information from short-term memory to long-term memory, ultimately helping students perform well on tests and papers with reduced studying during finals week!
Why Is Cornell Note-Taking So Effective?
1. Actively summarising a topic enhances comprehension of class notes.
2. Cornell notes promote focus and intentionality by emphasising key points and encouraging reflection on the material, rather than transcribing everything.
3. Well-formatted notes are conducive to effective revision. They should include questions for self-testing, summaries for memory refreshment, and detailed notes for a comprehensive review.
4. For further insights, check out our article on evidence-based study techniques.
Adapting the Cornell Technique
Now that we have discussed how Cornell notes were originally made let us learn how to adapt them to your own studies. These are simple to prepare, enhance comprehension during the note-taking process, and facilitate efficient reviewing. Here is a guide to help you get started with Cornell notes.
How to Take Cornell Notes
Divide the page into three parts: cues, notes, and summary.
Position the cues column in the left section and the notes column in the right section. The summary section goes at the bottom of the page.
It’s perfect for taking notes in class because it doesn’t need much preparation. The page is split into either 3 or 4 sections: a top block, two columns, and a bottom block.
The process of taking Cornell notes is simple: you put all the actual notes from the lecture in the main note-taking column.
The smaller column on the left is for keywords and questions. You can consider this section a place to record hints and prompts about the material. Write a short summary using your own words at the bottom of the page.
Tips to Take Better Cornell Notes
Use the cue column to generate potential quiz questions for self-testing during revision, as explained in our article on active recall.
It’s possible to run out of space on the page before you’ve finished taking notes. In such cases, don’t skip creating a summary. Instead, base the summary on the points already recorded on the page.
Cornell notes are designed for easy review, so ensure that you review them regularly.
Conclusion
There are multiple methods for note-taking. It’s beneficial to experiment with various approaches and ascertain which ones are most effective for different circumstances. Whether you’re engaged in online learning or traditional in-person classes, physically writing down information can enhance memory retention compared to solely listening or reading. Studies indicate that handwriting notes are more impactful than typing on a laptop. TCS has various note-taking techniques and styles, helping you choose the most suitable approach for your specific needs.
