DO: Save time with Cornell-style notes

Note-taking tips from Cornell

Taking notes is an arduous accompaniment to time spent in class. Take better notes with this simple trick to compartmentalize information on paper.

Start with a blank sheet of notebook paper. I use spiral notebooks with rings at the top of the page. Divide each new page with a line vertically, an inch to the right of the margin. At the top of the page, draw a line horizontally a half an inch above the top line of the page.

The basic idea is dividing the body of each page into two columns, with a space up top for class info. Whatever note-taking method you are comfortable with

gets written in the fat column. Additional details, questions, or vocabulary get jotted down in the skinnier left column.

It can also be a good idea to mark off a space at the bottom of the page to summarize the information from that page of notes. Having space to doodle is kind of liberating too.

Sound too complex? Take it from me that it works better than pouring over months old insomnia-induced chicken scratch. See the image larger by clicking here.

Read about it from the pros over at Cornell. (PDF)