2020-04-14 15:47:05 • Filed to: PDF App • Proven solutions

The Cornell note taking system was invented in the 1950’s by Walter Pauk who was an education professor at Cornell University. This effective system for taking notes was made popular by Professor Pauk’s best selling book How To Study In College and is still being used by college students today.

The Cornell note taking system (CNS) first devised at Cornell University is a fantastic education aid. In today's modern economy students are required to learn in a very fast-paced environment, so it is more important than ever to ensure the techniques they use optimize their learning effectively. Devised in the 1940's, the CNS has stood the test of time and remains popular today.

For students looking to enhance their learning skills, the CNS is an outstanding selection. Let's look a little more in-depth now at how the CNS works, and how to use it effectively in study. Once we're done you'll understand the Cornell note taking method and how to take Cornell notes.

As a kid I wanted to be a soldier, a fighter pilot, a covert agent, professions that require a great deal of bravery and risk and putting oneself in grave danger in order to complete the mission. “Growing up, I always had a soldier mentality. Even though I did not become all those things, and unless my predisposition, in its youngest years, already had me leaning towards them, the interest that was there still shaped my philosophies. We can't stand the idea of our own voices falling silent finally, like a radio running down.”―Margaret Atwood.

At its heart, the CNS is a strong but simple system for taking notes effectively. This simplicity is why so many people like it. While it can look a little confusing at the start, once you have an understanding of why the CNS is setup as it is, you are sure to enjoy using it in your studies.

Every CNS will feature a page with four columns, and the first column at the top is very simple. It's where the course title should be written, e.g. 'Introduction to Economics', or 'Philosophy 101'. After this, the page will have its three main sections divided: one big bottom column (often known as the footer), and two columns in the main part of the page, separating the margin and the body. Each section has an independent purpose, but as a whole works in harmony together.

The left side of the page that forms the margin is where key points from the content are written. For example, if studying geography, it is here major continents like 'Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Europe' would be written. By writing major points in the margin, the CNS helps a reader to write organized notes, and quickly pinpoint where relevant content is.

The main part of the page (AKA the body) is where the margin's information will be expanded on. For example, alongside 'Asia' in the margin, you will write in the body that the continent has a population of 4.436 billion. You will write next to North America this continent has three countries; Canada, the U.S, and Mexico. So the CNS body expands on key points and provides context.

Ultimately, the body is the most important part of the CNS system. So it's always important to really focus on writing with precision in this section. The great thing about the CNS it is makes this very easy to do. Because you have written a key topic in your margin, making links and associations in the body with a key point is seamless. That's why the CNS is so effective.

Finally, there is the summary section at the bottom of the page. Within the footer a brief conclusion on the content that features in the margin and the body is really useful. This should be done not only at the end of a class or lecture, but at the end of every single page. Conclusions should always answer the question 'why is this important?', and the summary should answer it.

When the CNS is used in this way, it becomes an incredibly powerful tool for education. A margin that introduces a topic, a body that expands on it, and a footer that summarizes it. And it does this on each and every page! The CNS makes a student more effective in note taking, helps them absorb information faster, and then makes it easier to revisit content when it comes time to revise for exams.

A Cornell note taking system can be setup with traditional pen and paper, and also digitally. Each method can be good, but there are many extra advantages of using a digital Cornell note taking template. The notes are really easy to keep track of, and also really easy to edit. If you do make a mistake, it's also really easy to remove content while keeping the system in your notes.

Among the many apps available which feature a CNS, there are a few standouts. Cornell notes by Ronald Bernaldo is good. Also Cornell Notes by iGoWrite. These 2 are very good, but there is also a lot of other great apps out there too. Provided they have a clear structure, making it easy for you to use the CNS, you should find a number of apps that suit your needs and goals.

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The Cornell note taking system was invented in the 1950’s by Walter Pauk who was an education professor at Cornell University. This effective system for taking notes was made popular by Professor Pauk’s best selling book How To Study In College and is still being used by college students today. This book is still available if you are interested in reading the details about this effective note taking method and other study strategies.

The Cornell method of note-taking is done by dividing a page into 3 sections: Notes, Cues and a Summary section. Assuming you’re taking notes on an 8.5 x 11″ or A4 size page, create a column about 2″ wide on either the left or right hand side of the page for Cues. Leave about 2″ at the bottom of the page for a Summary section. The largest section is for Notes. At the top of each page write your name, date, topic and class.

The Notes section is used during class or while reading a book to take abbreviated notes and to copy any diagrams or charts the instructor may use. It’s a good idea to leave extra space between main points and topics so that other details can be filled in later and to allow you to read your notes easily.

The Cues should be written down soon after the class is over. Cues are used for review and study and can include such things as questions anticipated on an exam, main ideas/people, and vocabulary words.

The Summary at the bottom of the page is written after class and is used to help you find information later on. It is a brief summary of the notes on that page highlighting the main point(s).

Cornell University summarizes the method of using these notes most effectively this way:

1. Record. Take brief notes during a lecture or while reading.
2. Questions. As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based on the notes. The writing of questions is used to study for exams later.
3. Recite. Cover the large note-taking section with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
4. Reflect. Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what Ialready know? What’s beyond them?
5. Review. Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous
   notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.

Several universities & websites provide explanations on how to benefit from the Cornell note taking method – here are just a few:
Cornell University
Florida State University
University of Houston-Victoria
Life Hacker

If you want to try to improve your studying by using the Cornell Method of note-taking you can simply use a bold pen to divide pages in your notebook into 3 sections, you can print out your own Cornell paper by using an online PDF generator, or you can buy a nicely bound notebook with Cornell paper. Cornell notebooks currently available at Writer’s Bloc include:

Magic stones for mac free. Rhodia Classic Meeting Book – Large with Black Cover
Rhodia Classic Meeting Book – Large with Orange Cover
Rhodia Classic Meeting Book – Medium with Black Cover
Rhodia Classic Meeting Book – Medium with Orange Cover
Rhodiactive Meeting Book 90 – A4+ Large
Rhodia Business Collection Meeting Book 90 – Medium
Moleskine Professional Notebook – Extra Large, Black Hardcover
Moleskine Professional Notebook – Large, Black Hardcover

Have you ever used the Cornell note-taking method? What is your favorite notebook or paper for taking notes?