The Cornell Method of Note Taking
The Cornell method of taking notes offers a structure that encourages good note-taking and builds in frequent, quick reviews that increase your comprehension and recall of material. This method of note-taking will very likely improve your grades.
Record the Lecture. You can buy special Cornell notebook paper, draw a vertical line down a page leaving a 2.5 inch margin, or download it.
Review. As soon as possible after class, review your notes for two or three minutes, filling in all missing information. It is best to do this immediately after class, but make a habit of doing this within one or two days since reviewing quickly greatly enhances your recall of the material.
Summarize. A couple days later, as you wait for the same class to begin, bring out your notes and review them. This time, write key terms and major points in the left column. You might also draw a diagram in the left column that illustrates the organization of the lecture. And finally, summarize the lecture in your own words at the bottom of the page.
Prepare for your exam. Review the notes again (you should find that you do not need to re-learn material). Recite the material in your notes by covering the right hand portion of your notes and using the left hand outline as a guide. Reflect on the connections between each day's lecture.
