Cornell Note Taking System

Record
During the talk, record in the main column as many meaningful facts and ideas as you can. Write legibly!

Reduce
As soon after as possible, summarize these facts and ideas concisely in the Cue Column. Summarizing clarifies meanings and relationships, reinforces continuity, and strengthens memory.

Recite
Cover the Note Taking Area, using only your jottings in the Cue Column, say over the facts and ideas of the talk as fully as you can, not mechanically, but in your own words. Then, verify what you have said.

Reflect
Draw out opinions from your notes and use them as a starting point for your own reflections on the talk and how it relates to your work. Reflection will help prevent ideas from being inert and soon forgotten.

Review
Before your next meeting spend 10 minutes reviewing your notes.