Study Tips and Tricks : Cornell Note Taking

An easy way to start your school year off on a good foot is to look at your study habits. Over the next few weeks we will provide you with some study tips and tricks that can help you with your in class study and your homework. Lets find out how to work smarter, not harder.

This week we’re looking at Cornell Note taking.

Cornell Note taking is designed to help you better record, absorb and understand terms, issues and concepts whether it be through watching a video, reading a Weblink, summarising a power point or even reading your textbook.

This method encourages you to write only the essential details during class (or other learning) and then perform synthesis of the task after completion. Studies show that handwritten notes are more engaging than word processed notes on your computer (Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014).

At Mount Alvernia College we encourage the use of the Cornell Note taking method. The video below gives you a great introduction on how to take Cornell Notes.

We’ve also developed a how-to guide that you can keep on hand to refer back to when needed.

Remember to pop in to the iCentre and ask any of the iCentre staff for help with your study, research or learning needs. We’re also happy to chat with you via the chat feature or through our Ask a Librarian functions on our website.

Mueller, P. & Oppenheimer, D. (2014). The pen is mightier than the keyboard: Advantages of longhand over laptop note taking. Psychological Science, 25(6), 1159–1168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614524581