Cornell Note Taking Method Custom Pdf Generator Free

by Gina Trapani

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Copying class notes after the fact is a time-consuming way to study for an exam, but it was the only thing that truly worked for me back in college. But next week I'll be in a classroom again for the first time in 8 years, pen poised over notebook, and this time I'm going to perfect a strategy that gets my notes right the first time: the Cornell Note-taking method.

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We've mentioned the Cornell method in passing here and there, but today we'll dive deep into how to transcribe a lecture in a way that makes studying and cross-references a breeze throughout the semester - no copying involved.

Cornell Notetaking Method

I wish I'd had a system in place for my own notetaking when I was a student. The Cornell…

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Lay out your page for the Cornell Method

Cornell Note Taking Method Custom Pdf Generator Free Online

Using the Cornell method, you split your notes page into three sections, as shown below.

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  • Notes column (right) Record the lecture here during class using short sentences and fragments that transcribe the facts you'll need. Eliminate all unnecessary words. Use bulleted lists for easy skimming, and as much shorthand as possible (without sacrificing readability.) Develop a vocabulary of abbreviations you always use, like 'ex' for 'for example,' 'v.' for 'very,' 'tho' for 'though,' '1st' and '2nd' for 'first and second.' Finally, leave lots of whitespace between points and paragraphs so you can go back and fill in sections later.
  • Cues column (left) After class, review your notes and jot questions and memory joggers in this narrow column that help connect ideas listed in the notes section. When you're studying, you will look at these cues to help you recall the salient facts in your notes, so keep that in mind when you create your cues.
  • Summary area (bottom) After class while you create your cues, sum up the notes on each page in one or two sentences that encapsulate the main ideas in the bottom area. You'll use the summary section to skim through your notes and find information later.

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An example of a page of notes taken with the Cornell method, shamelessly ripped off from a Temple University page, is shown below. (Click to enlarge.)

Cornell note taking method custom pdf generator free printable

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Study and review your Cornell-formatted notes

The Cornell Note-taking method's creator, Walter Pauk, outlined a six-step study system to use along with this note format. The BYU web site breaks down the 6 R's: Record, Reduce, Recite, Reflect, Review and Recapitulate. While those steps are worth a read, personally I think this system boils down even further.

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In short, once you've attended class and filled in the notes area, that evening, review them and fill in the cues and summary area. When the time comes to study for an exam, read through your notes. To quiz yourself, cover up the right side and use the cues on the left to jog your memory and help you rebuild the factual narrative in your mind. When you've got a paper to write, use the summary section of each notes page to flip through and find relevant facts to cite in your paper.

In essence, with the Cornell method, instead of straight transcription, you're creating your study guide as you go instead of waiting till it's time to cram for the test.

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Cornell Note Taking Method Custom Pdf Generator Free Printable

Pre-formatted Cornell Notepaper

Cornell Note Taking Method Custom Pdf Generator Free

Unless you like messing around with a ruler and pen or pencil, there are a few templates and notepaper generators that will print out pre-formatted Cornell notes-style pages. Two mentionables include:

  • The Cornell Method PDF Generator creates printable PDF's split into the Cornell notepaper style with unlined, ruled, or graphed sections. Optionally include your name, the date, and the name of your class, and up to 4 punch holes for use in a binder. Also, choose the line darkness on a scale from gray to black.
  • Cornell Word Templates are perfect for students who take their notes with Microsoft Word. This page includes instructions for creating your own Word Cornell template, and a sample you can tweak to your own needs.
Cornell note taking method custom pdf generator free download

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How are you taking notes this semester? Had any good or bad experiences with the Cornell method? Let us know in the comments.

Gina Trapani, the editor of Lifehacker, is sharpening her Ticonderoga Number 2's for class. Her semi-weekly feature, Geek to Live, appears every Wednesday and Friday on Lifehacker. Subscribe to the Geek to Live feed to get new installments in your newsreader.

Cornell Note Taking Examples

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Cornell Note Taking Template

Note-Taking Methods‎ > ‎

Cornell Method

The Cornell Method splits the page into three sections.
You can create your own template, download the PDF or Word Document provided at the bottom of this article, or use an online generator such as the Cornell Method PDF Generator.
  1. The notes column (right hand side) is where one records lecture notes making use of as much shorthand as possible leaving spaces between chunks of information in order to fill in details later on.
  2. After class, the cues column (left hand side) is where one writes down questions and cues which can be used later for review. When you study, cover the notes column and review using your notes int he cues column.
  3. The bottom area, the summary column is used to sum up the lecture in one or two sentences.
Basically the following graphic sums up the process when using this approach:

Record - in the notes column.
Reduce - into the cues column
Recite - immediately after the lesson using the cues column as a guide and covering the notes column
Reflect - consider why this lesson was covered. Ask questions such as what is the significance of these facts? How can I apply them? How do this fit in with what I know? Where might they lead? and write up the summary
Review - weekly (min of 10 minutes)