1. In this class not all of the material will come from a textbook. It is, therefore, essential that you be able to take good class notes.

2. Note taking helps you to concentrate on what you are learning.

3. Note taking makes you put ideas in your own words, which aids in understanding

4. Note taking helps you remember things better.

5. Good note taking skills are key to success in college, tech school, or even workplace seminars.

Two reminders about notes:

1. Notes are just that! Do not try to take down every word.

2. The action of note taking is helpful, but it is what you do with your notes after a class that is the most important.

Cornell Note Taking System

Developed to help Cornell students better organize their notes, this is the most widely used technique today.

It is a "Do it right in the first place" system.

Six Steps

1. Record


2. Reduce


3. Recite


4. Reflect


5. Review


6. Recapitulate


Record

Before class:

1. Use a large, loose-leaf notebook. This allows you to layout your notes to see the direction and connections in a class lecture. It also provides a place to keep handouts, homework assignments, reports, etc.

2. Draw a vertical line 2 1/2" from the left side of the paper. This is the recall column. Notes will be recorded to the right of this line.

During the class:

1. Record as many facts and ideas as you can in the six-inch column.

2. DO NOT write down every word or try to be grammatically correct. Write down the main ideas in short, streamlined statements. Leave out unnecessary words.

3. Use abbreviations and symbols as much as you can.

4. Write legibly.

After class:

1. Read through your notes to be sure that they are clear.

2. Fill in any blanks and complete any incomplete sentences


Reduce

1. Read through your notes and reduce the fact and main ideas into key words and phrases.

2. Formulate questions based on the facts and ideas.

3. Write the keywords, phrases, and questions in the narrow column on the left-hand side of the sheet.

4. Use these words and phrase as memory cues to recall the ideas or facts. The questions will help to clarify the meanings of the facts and ideas.


Recite

1. Cover up the notes in the six-inch column.

2. Read each key word, phrase, or question in the narrow left-hand column.

3. Then recite and state out loud, in your own words, the information relating to that cue.

4. Check your answer by uncovering your notes. If you are correct, continue with the remaining key words and phrases. If not, review your notes on the idea before continuing.


Reflect

1. Think about the information you have learned. Ponder about how it relates to other things you know or how it may be beneficial to you.

2. Ask yourself these questions:

How do these facts fit into what I already know?
How can I apply them?
How is knowing this important?
Where might I use this information outside of this class?
Who else might use this type of information? To do what?

Review

1. Review and recite your notes frequently. At least several times a week.

2. Do not reread your notes, recite them.

3. Frequent, brief review sessions during a semester will help aid in comprehension and retention. It will also eliminate cramming before midterms and finals.


Recapitulate

1. After you have reduced, recited, and reflected, write a summary of the facts and ideas you have learned.

2. The summary should be short and in your own words, not a word for word copy of the notes.

3. The summary should contain the main points you want to remember.

4. The summary should be written in the narrow left-hand column either at the end of each page or at the end of the lecture notes.

Other Note Taking and In-class Skills

1. Read any material relevant to the lecture before the class whether it is assigned or not.

2. Be an active reader as well as listener. Ask yourself questions before, while, and after you read an assignment. Look for the answers in the text and lecture. Record the questions and answers in your notes.

3. Record and learn all new words

4. Listen actively during class. If possible think before you write, but do not get behind.

5. Be open-minded about points with which you disagree. Do not let arguing interfere with your note taking.

6. Raise questions if appropriate.

7. Develop your own standard method of note taking including symbols, abbreviations, punctuation, margins, etc.

8. Use a large notebook. It allows you to keep all your course material together.

9. Leave a few spaces blank as you move from one point to the next so that you can add additional information later if necessary. Your objective is to take helpful notes, not save paper.

10. Spend as much time as possible listening to the speaker. Only record the main points and ideas. Develop and use personalized shorthand to speed up the process.

11. Listen for cues as to important points, transition from one point to the next, repetition of points for emphasis, enumeration of a series of points, changes in voice inflections, etc.

12. Make your notes legible enough for your own reading. Time spent recopying them could be better spent reciting and reviewing them.

13. Copy down everything on the board or overhead.
If the instructor took time to write it, it is probably important.

14. Get assignments precisely. Ask questions if you are not sure what you are supposed to do.