The Best Ways to Take Notes
Note-taking is the unsung hero of study techniques.
Note-taking is an incredibly effective yet grossly underutilized tool. Done right, you can get better results and feel confident about your studies. At Athena Global School , we encourage students to master the art of note-taking as part of their journey toward academic excellence.
Most Effective Way of Taking Notes
To make your notes concise and brief, use abbreviations and symbols. Write in bullets and phrases instead of complete sentences. This will help your mind and hand stay fresh during class and will help you access things easier and quicker after class. It will also help you focus on the main concepts.
At Athena Global School , we emphasize these techniques in our classrooms to ensure our students stay engaged and organized.
The Cornell Method and 5 R’s of Note-Taking
Based on an easy-to-remember mnemonic, the Cornell Method uses five main points: record, reduce, recite, reflect, and review, also known as the Five R’s.
What is the Cornell Method?
The Cornell Method is often referred to as the Cornell Notes System or the 5 R’s of note-taking. This method was invented in the 1950s by Walter Pauk, a professor of education at Cornell University.
What Makes the Cornell Method Easy to Use?
Students can use this method to record lessons efficiently. The Cornell Method’s five steps—record, reduce, recite, reflect, and review—are easy to remember. This system encourages us to reflect on notes and summarize them in our own words. Despite its simplicity, the method makes us think critically about the key concepts in each lesson.
At Athena Global School, we teach students how to use this method effectively as part of our academic success strategies.
The 5 R’s of Note-Taking
Good note-taking techniques help us remember and recall information.
Record: You can use digital notes or traditional ones. Write down all the ideas and facts you hear in class, from textbooks, class notes, or online resources.
To make it easier to summarize:
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Use a bold title when there is a new topic.
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Leave blank spaces to make it easier to read.
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Add abbreviations and symbols when writing specific points. Make the characters consistent, so it’s easy to recognize and highlight memorable points.
Reduce: Summarize all recorded information in your own words. Keep it as simple as possible. Summarizing consolidates understanding and clarifies relationships between data.
Recite: Recite out loud what you have learned without looking at your notes. This stage aims to study and internalize the topic in depth.
Reflect: Reflecting is like discussing with ourselves. Connect existing facts with new ones.
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Scaffolding: Write down all the information you know about the topic before taking notes.
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Predictions: Make predictions about relevant information related to records.
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The Big Picture: Outline the core topic of the notes and then write information related to that topic.
Review: Spend 15-20 minutes reviewing your notes to remember essential points.
By following Cornell’s 5 R’s of note-taking, students at Athena Global School can retain more information, increase their understanding of material, and improve their study skills.
Making User-Friendly Notes
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Make your notes brief and selective.
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Keep them well-spaced to add more details later if necessary.
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Show relationships between main points (link them with lines or notes).
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Summarize in your own words.
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Use illustrations, examples, and diagrams to contextualize ideas.
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Use color, pattern, highlighting, and underlining to make them memorable.
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Ensure clarity for later review.
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File with care using a simple, logical system.
Tips to Write Neat, Pretty, and Simple Notes
At Athena Global School, we believe that neat, organized notes enhance learning.
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Consistency: Keep handwriting, headings, and bullet points consistent.
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Spacing: Allocate enough space between words, lines, and sections for clarity.
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Color Coding: Use different colors for sections or keywords to enhance organization.
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Strategic Highlighting: Highlight only the most important points.
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Borders or Frames: Separate sections for better organization.
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Visual Elements: Include diagrams or symbols to make notes engaging.
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Quality Materials: Use good-quality pens, highlighters, and paper to improve neatness.
By following these tips, Athena Global School students can create notes that are both visually appealing and highly effective. Let’s embrace the joy of note-taking and master whatever we read!
- Ms. Thenmozhi – Lower Primary Facilitator
