Student showing set of class notes.

Red header with "Lesson 3."

Having mastered active listening, you are ready to move on to specific note-taking styles. This is where many students struggle with note-taking: they often write down information during class time, but without any type of system or organization. Often, they will then have difficulty finding important points or key concepts later.

We will examine several different note-taking strategies below.

Cornell Method

The Cornell Method for note-taking was created at Cornell University in the 1950's, and has been useful for many students in making their notes more organized. When taking notes using this method, you divide your paper into two columns: the narrower left column (called the "cue" column) contains keywords, important terminology, or major concepts, and the wider right column (called the "outline" column) contains notes or descriptions associated with those terms. At the bottom of the page, you should also include a summary section, in which you restate the main ideas of the lesson in your own words.

Cornell-style notes example.

Outline Method

The outline method uses numbers, letters, or even Roman numerals to identify and classify information based on levels of importance. The most important pieces of information are categorized as headings, and then supporting or less significant information is listed beneath that particular heading in order of importance or relationship.

Outline note method example.

Charting Method

With this method, you create a matrix or spreadsheet; identify descriptors for each of the columns and/or rows; and begin filling in information accordingly. This method may allow you to write less, and is especially helpful in courses that emphasize relationships between bodies of information.

Charting note method example.

Sentence Method.

This method emphasizes writing down complete sentences during a lecture, so that you are retaining the specific terminology or wording used by your professor. If the information is very specific or specialized, writing down individual sentences can be helpful - although we recommend pairing this method with another, more visual, form of note-taking to provide balance.

Sentence method of note-taking.

Mind-Mapping Method

Visually representing information - by using bubbles, lines, boxes, or other visual markers to represent relationships, sequence, and importance - can also be an effective note-taking tool.

Mind map note method example.