Have you ever been in class and then realize that you forgot your notebook at home? Class starts and then you say to yourself, “Oh well, I can remember this”. You realize that you are horribly wrong, and you forget everything. Some people never take notes, and then they usually forget most of the material. Well, that is why note taking is important. You will be able to remember the material better if you repeat what is said, or shown. As well as, when studying you can review the notes that you have taken.
“Learning how to take better study notes in class helps improve recall and understanding of what you are learning because it:
- Ensures you are actively listening to what the teacher is saying
- Requires you to think about what you are writing
- Helps you make connections between topics
- Serves as quality review material for after class” (“How To Take Study Notes: 5 Effective Note Taking Methods”, 2017)
There are methods to note taking that are better than others, however. For example, studies have shown that taking notes by writing them down was superior to just typing them up on a computer. Writing them down requires you to go over them several times in your head so you do not forget/ can help yourself to better remember them. The notes, however need to be able to be read by you. And they should be structured properly, so your notes are not everywhere and not in order. “If your in-class notes are messy, unorganized, and unclear at first glance, you’re not going to get much use out of them. This has nothing to do with how neat your handwriting is — it’s all about how your notes are structured.”(“How To Take Study Notes: 5 Effective Note Taking Methods”, 2017). Imagine you are reading a toddler’s handwriting and it being illegible; then you find out you are actually reading some of your old notes from previous classes. Those notes were most likely useless as they were illegible and therefore, you could not study.
According to the Oxford Learning website, there are 5 note taking methods (or 5 common methods). The Cornell Method, The Mapping Method, The Outlining Method, The Charting Method, and The Sentence Method. The website lists the advantages, what it each one looks like, and how to use them.
The Cornell Method
“The Cornell note taking method helps organize class notes into easily digestible summaries. This method is effective because the main points, details, study cues, and summary are all written in one place” (“How To Take Study Notes: 5 Effective Note Taking Methods”, 2017)
Advantages:
- Notes are neatly organized, summarized, and easy to review
- Allows you to pull out major ideas and concepts
What it Looks Like
The paper is divided into 3 sections: a 2.5” margin to the left, a 2” summary section on the bottom, and a main 6” in-class note section.
- Use the main notes section to take notes during class.
- Use the cues section to review your notes. After class, write down things you’ll need to remember and a prompt for each. You can also use this section for vocabulary words and study questions.
- In the summary segment at the bottom, write a summary of your notes. This is where you will highlight the main points.
References:
How To Take Study Notes: 5 Effective Note Taking Methods. (2017). Oxford Learning. Retrieved 10 October 2017, from https://www.oxfordlearning.com/5-effective-note-taking-methods/
Psychology of Learning 