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Study Skills

Taking Notes In Class

Students are expected to be able to capture the important information discussed in lectures. Recording this information will be easier with efficient note-taking techniques.
 

Top Tips

Stay organized.
Organizing your notes will make them easier to use when you need to study.

Take your own notes.
Don’t rely on slides and handouts from your instructor. Take your own notes for more complete information.

Make a buddy.
If you miss a class, ask a classmate if you can borrow their notes.

Cornell Note Taking Method

  1. Set up your page: Divide your page into three sections: a Cue column on the left, a Notes column on the right, and a Summary area at the bottom of the page. You can also use the Word Template or the PDF template below.
  2. Start with the Notes Column: Take notes as you normally would in the Notes column.
  3. Fill in your Cue Column: Fill in your Cue column based on the notes you took in step 2. Use questions, key terms, and headings to help you quickly understand what the notes you took relate to.
  4. Fill in your Summary section: Summarize the notes from this page into one or two key learning outcomes.

 

How to Use the Cornell Note Taking Method

Outline Note Taking Method

PowerPoint Note Taking Method

 

How to Take Notes Using PowerPoint

Concept Maps or Mind Mapping Method

 

How to Use Concept Mapping

Adapted from The Learning Portal used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Taking Notes While Reading

SQ4R Six Steps

1. SURVEY: Flip through the chapter quickly to get a sense of what is covered. Look at headings and keys terms, and read the final paragraph.

2. QUESTION: Turn headings into questions to guide your reading. You can keep track of your questions by using the Cornell Method of note-taking.

3. READ: Read the chapter, looking for the answer to the questions you posed.

4. REFLECT: Think about what you have read, and relate it to other information you have learned.

5. RECITE: Without looking at the text, restate your question and formulate an answer in your own words.

6. REVIEW: At the end of the chapter look over your notes and familiarize yourself with key points.

 

SQ4R Reading Strategy

 

Note-Taking from Readings

 

Main Idea: Summarising: Reading Strategies

 

Critical Thinking and Reading

 

Reading Strategies for Academic Textbooks

Adapted from The Learning Portal used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.