Study skills > Module
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Successful note taking
Adapted from Moran’s Managing your Own Learning
and the Cornell Note Taking System
Develop a pre-lecture routine
- ensure that any accommodations you may require to enable you to
fully participate have been dealt with prior to the lecture
- arrive before lecture starts and pick a seat that allows you to
see lecturer, board and computer screens
- review previous lecture’s notes prior to starting next lecture’s
note taking
- record each day’s notes on a separate page. This helps filing
and storage
- name and date each lecture on each page (in case they become separated)
Establish a manageable note taking style
- more is not necessarily better
- notes are a means to an end, not an end in itself. Record cues to
memory
- notes are not sufficient on their own; they should inspire further
research, therefore, ask yourself questions and record references
to books etc
- record names, references, titles, memorable examples & odd words
Click here to go to the section on mind
maps
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Note taking: The Cornell System
The Cornell system for taking notes is designed to save time but yet
be highly efficient. There is no rewriting for retyping of your notes,
it is a “Do it right in the first place”
system
Step 1: Preparation
- Use a large loose-leaf notebook.
- Use only one side of the paper, you then can lay your notes out
to see the direction of a lecture.
- Draw a vertical line 2 inches for the left side of the paper. This
will be the recall column. Notes will be taken to the right of this
margin.
- Later key words or phrases can be written in the recall column.
Step 2: During the lecture
- Record notes in paragraph form.
- Capture general ideas, not illustrative ideas.
- Skip lines to show end of ideas or thoughts.
- Use abbreviations as much as possible and write legibly.
For example:
- shorten repeated words i.e. French Revolution (FR)
- use mathematical symbols for words such as ‘therefore’,
‘this means’ (=), ‘and’ (+), and so on
- maintain consistent abbreviations so that you can remember their
meaning
Categorise content/organise the lecture in your mind
- ask questions in your mind and record them your in notes
- divide lecture into sections – i.e. introduction or recap
on last lecture, mentions themes and poses questions, presents new
material and provides summary comments or conclusions
Look out for trigger words
- phrases such as “The main point here is…”, “
So, the principle is…”) point to important statements
- repeated points are of importance. Note these
- try to predict what lecturer is going to say. This keeps you focused
- note any examples and ensure you understand them
- how does information relate to old points?
- did you note references for further reading?
Step 3 After the lecture
- Read through your notes and make them more legible if necessary.
- Now use the column. Jot down ideas or key words which give you
the main ideas explored in the lecture (REDUCE).
- You will have to reread the lecturer’s ideas and reflect in
your own words.
- Cover up the right-hand portion of your notes and recite the general
ideas and concepts of the lecture. Overlap you notes showing only
recall columns and you have your review.
- keep your notes in a sealed folder or ring binder
- check them for mistakes and additions
- file notes according to subject and topic each evening. Don’t
carry them with you every day as this increases your chances of losing
them
- if giving notes to a friend, give them a copy. Do not share your
original or only copy
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File your notes effectively
- use separate folders for each topic or subject and label every page
with the date and subject area or lecturer’s name
- ensure you file your notes after use and do not leave them lying
around
