The Cornell note-taking system is a highly effective approach to helping students take comprehensive notes, improve information retention, and use those notes to improve their academic performance.

Steps to Effectively Using Cornell Notes

An education professor at Cornell University by the name of Walter Pauk created the Cornell note-taking system in the 1950's. Pauk helped popularize the Cornell method in his book, How to Study in College, which has led to the Cornell method being used in nationally implemented programs such as AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination).

How did it come about?

Record Your Cornell Notes: During the teacher's presentation, students record notes into the right-hand column (note taking column) of the page. In the left column students should record one main idea or cue for each set of notes. When taking Cornell notes, avoid using complete sentences. Use abbreviations or shorthand when possible.

Because = cusCornell Notes = CN

Cornell Note - taking Format: Step one

Create Questions: Once students have finished taking notes, they should create questions that are based on their notes. When students create questions it helps them to define terms and concepts, establish connections, and strengthen memory. Also, creating questions sets up an effective strategy for exam studying, as the questions can be used to prepare for future tests and quizzes.

Step Two

Reflect on Your Cornell Notes: Students can reflect on the material using their Cornell notes linking current notes with prior knowledge, categorizing information, evaluating ideas, and linking the material to real life applications and other subject areas.

Step Three

Review Your Cornell Notes: Students should spend some time every week reviewing, re-organizing, and updating their Cornell notes. As quiz time approaches, it is wise for students to spend 20-30 minutes every night reviewing relevant notes and self-quizzing. This approach will help students to retain the information taught and to effectively prepare for tests and exams.

Step Four

Create a Summary: After you have completed taking notes for

the day, use the space at the bottom of each page to summarize the notes on that page. A summary should be no longer than 3-4 sentences and should be a general overview of some of the key points that were covered in class. This can be used to organize the notebook around themes or strands of knowledge.

Step five

That’s all folks, let’s see you try!