Cornell Note Taking Method

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What are good notes? According to Cornell University, good notes include meaningful abbreviations, describes both idea and details, and might include definitions, a diagram, an outline, or bullet points. Therefore, it is not important to write every word a lecturer says. Cornell’s Note Taking Method is known by many college students all over the nation. It involves separated a page into three sections:

• Note taking

• Cue column

• Summaries

Quality note taking, according to Cornell, occurs both during and after a lecture. During a lecture, a student will take notes in the manner listed above.
 

First, they may set up their paper in three sections: notes, cues, summary. During the lecture notes are taken including written portions and bullet points or definitions. Then some point in time afterward, a review should be done. In the cue section questions can be asked. These would be written or typed near the answers in the note section. Then the student summarizes and may even re-write some parts filling in the gaps. Due to this, retention takes place.

• Note taking during lecture

• Cue specify main ideas, define vocabulary after lecture

• Summarize what was said for review after lecture

 

Reading and the 3 Ps

Reading with the three Ps allows you to learn more efficiently. This can be used when reading just about anything you want to remember. The three Ps are:

• Purpose

• Preview

• Plan

You could use it when studying chapters before an exam, studying history or even when learning a new language.

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Purpose finding is what Cornell says is the first thing you should do when given an assignment (whether or not it's one a professor has given you or you've given yourself). Ask yourself questions like:

​"Will I have to use this later for an exam?", "What do I need to understand from the reading?", and "What does this reading have to do with my course?". Once you have the purpose, go to the next step.

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Preview is about familiarizing yourself with what must be studied. This includes reading the headings, epilogues and looking over any graphs or charts. While previewing the material Cornell suggests having a conversation in your head about what you are reading and connecting the reasons why these may be important material. This can help make connections later.

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Plan steps include finding out why the material will be useful to you later. You may want to make notecards, outlines for headings, highlight quotes and note any comments you may make based on your preview. 

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Then read. 

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Oregon State University's Preview, Read, Recall

Oregon State has similar study advice which they modified from The University of Texas at Austin's preview, read and recall method design to increase retention.

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Preview here is similar to what described above. It involves spending 5 to 10 minutes familiarizing yourself with the material. Oregon State suggests paying close attention to titles, headings, charts, pictures, summaries and chapter reviews. Included in the 5 to 10 minute preview stage is planning any note-taking and main topic take-aways. 

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Read actively. Be serious about your reading time really trying to understand what you are taking in. If you get distracted easily, take breaks. But when it's time to read again, read diligently. Take notes in the side margins about details that stand out. Highlight if necessary.

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Recall and quiz yourself. If you can close the book after reading a paragraph and recite what you have just read in your own words, you're doing well. OSU advices turning headings into questions and then trying to answer them. This can help you recall what you've read and prepare you for any test taking later.​

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To Learn More Follow the Links Below

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Cornell University How to Study 

 

Cornell University How to Take Notes

 

Cornell University 3 Ps Reading Study

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Oregon State University Reading Study

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