How to study efficiently: The Cornell Notes Method

Learn to study faster and more efficiently, and remember more! I will show you my favorite system for taking notes, called the Cornell Notetaking System. You'll learn a way to take better notes and become a better active listener. I'll explain how to use this method and show you an example of it. Using the Cornell template will help you remember more of what you hear in class and help you organize your notes better. This method will help you if you are a student in a high school, language school, or university, or if you attend meetings, conferences, or like studying on your own! You can practice using the Cornell Notetaking Method with this video on the differences between British and American spelling at • Differences between Am... , or any other engVid lesson!
To test how well you understood this lesson, take the quiz here: www.engvid.com/how-to-study-e...
Find more free advice on how to take good notes here:
www.goodluckexams.com/how-to-t...
TRANSCRIPT
Hello. My name is Emma, and in today's video I am going to teach you an amazing way to listen and take notes. This method I am going to teach you today is really, really going to help you, and I know this because I use this method myself, and I found it has really, really helped me when I was in university, during meetings, during all sorts of different situations. This method really works.
So, first, before I teach you about the method, I want you to think about yourself and I want you to think about: When do you take notes? Okay? So, when do you listen and when do you take notes? So, some of you might think... Maybe you're in university, maybe you're in college, maybe you're in high school, and you have to listen to your teacher talk, and you have to take notes to help you remember what they are saying. Maybe you've graduated and you're working in a business, and you have meetings and... Or presentations, and you also need to take notes. So, this method will work for whether you're working or you're studying. Maybe you're taking the IELTS or the TOEFL, this can also help you on the TOEFL test in terms of improving your listening and taking notes.
So, how do you take notes? Okay? I know some students, they watch their professor or their teacher talk, and they use their computer, and they just type everything their professor or teacher says. Is this something you do? Maybe you write your notes, and you write every single thing your professor says down on a piece of paper, or anything somebody says. Well, there are a couple of problems with these methods, and I'm going to explain to you some of the problems now. So, for people who like to take notes by computer, there are some advantages of this. You're able to type really quickly and you're able to get a lot of what you hear down on your computer, and it's easy to save. But the problem with this is it's a type of passive listening. So, a lot of the times you're not actually using your brain to interpret what you're listening to, and you're not actively listening. You're just copying word for word, you're not actually doing anything active with the material you're listening to. So, working with a computer-and I've seen this in my university-a lot of students also end up going on Facebook during the lesson or lecture. So, a lot of the times they get very distracted. When they should be listening, they're actually not.
So, for me personally and I think for a lot of people, using a computer to take notes is not the best method. Again, for some people it might work, but for a lot of people it doesn't. A lot of the times it's actually better to take notes by hand, and the reason is when you take notes by hand, you have to think about what you're writing because writing takes a bit longer than typing. So you're organizing the material, therefore it's more of an active way to listen. Okay? And they've done psychology studies on this, and they do find that taking your notes by hand is often better than taking notes by a computer.
So, today I am going to teach you a way to take notes by hand using what is called "The Cornell Method". This method was developed at Cornell University, and a lot of universities actually encourage students to use this method because it is very good. So, what is the Cornell Method? Okay, well, I'm glad you asked. So, I have here an example of how you would organize your paper. Imagine this is your paper that you take your notes on. What you can do is you can make a box just like this where you have a box where you write the title and the date of the lesson, you have a square or a rectangle here, you have a rectangle here, and you have a rectangle at the bottom. Okay? So, in total you have-one, two, three, four-four different rectangles.

[@engvidEmma]

I've just published a new study skills video! Learn how to listen to lectures: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5K5qJuefLqAjJo

[@ahmadmuaaz4592]

miss kindly upload more videos like this as these r very helpful

[@sarahcastelli6161]

@@ahmadmuaaz4592 asdasdfsadd adasdifsdfwe sadassdfasdf sdasdfsadf sadsaasdfasdfsdawe as asdfsdrqdfasgusdfsad

[@alexswedenborg1856]

yeeha babe

[@EULIX]

Hello Emma can you let me know were can i get the test with the 100 questions please thank you for your videos

[@asifmuniruniverse7732]

Thanks

[@joannazhou8934]

4:00 where it starts

[@thearchibaldtuttle]

Love you for that!

[@shamblestheclown]

Joanna Zhou Thank you so much!!!

[@jimbobharris81]

Thanks

[@SaidNuriUYANIK]

saved my 4 minutes from being wasted. Thank you :)

[@reyzapata5173]

Thank you Joanna. I was literally about to search for another video because it was taking sooo long to get to the point.

[@ToadGamingSubscribe]

thanks i took a lot of notes on how to take notes

[@somakarem2246]

champ

[@TheRodmaniac]

I took notes on how I noted you taking notes about how to take notes

[@alexandrailubs2945]

TheRodmaniac 🙈😂😂

[@0530628416]

May I take notes from your notes

[@sleepybear6781]

Lol ya same here

[@dariyanefllearningcentre4814]

When I start taking notes in any university lesson, I usually use my cellphone to record the voice of the professor during the lecture, this is the best way as you don't miss any words in the lesson and after getting back home I play the record and begin writing down my notes and the entire summary of the given topic.

[@ellafulkerson149]

thats illegal but u do u

[@a1gdotbrixx716]

Ella Fulkerson sorry officer.

[@stephaniefink8024]

Hey quick note on this - though not ilegal, if your professor finds out, they will probably feel weird about it. There are specific states that require consent in a "two-party" conversation, AKA a lecture. For anyone who goes this route, just to be courteous - ask your professor's permission to record their lecture :)

[@naingdar]

Did you listen all from the record consistently every day and write down notes? I feel like its a waste of time you have to sit and listen again at the same time you are in the class.

[@JeremyHulsey]

LOL...this has been a common practice in universities for a long time. Professors are aware, and the ones I've known encourage it.

[@oseatamburella]

I got 10/10 on the test. Very interesting and helpful lesson! I’m gonna divide some papers into sections and apply the Cornell Method to the contexts in which I’m involved. I really like to follow your lessons. Thank you very much Emma!!!

[@rh.monir.hossen]

M

[@user-ys9yb6ut3f]

I have 10 years of college. This system learned in my 2nd year, turned me from a C/B student to an A student in undergrad and grad. 30 years later, I still use it and teach it

[@damianwildman4936]

Im about to embark on a undergrad journey. Im trying to relearn how to study and take notes, its ben awhile. How does this method help with long lectures? Are you making a new cornell template for every topic?

[@matheusmascarenhas]

This kind of video is a special way of learning English without noticing you're doing it, especially because of the subtitles and the text attached, which is ver helpful to beginners. Congratulations for adding value to all these people that follows you and your colleagues from EngVid, one of my favorite channels. In Portuguese, one of our most common ways of saying regards/take care/etc is "sending": hug(s). So "hugs" for everyone from EngVid!

[@faithdelacruz2886]

Thank you very much emma and to the people working behind engvid. all efforts, hardworks and such ideas you've shared is worth it. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS

[@anee7163]

You are doing an outstanding job, Emma! I really love u. Please keep teaching us like that always and always!❤

[@OpenPhoenix]

This is by far the best video I have seen for the cornell method. Thank you for making this!

[@AbuRenad-yw9tp]

i love your way in explanation of the information

[@eldaseall2016]

Emma, I love listening to you , you are very clear, your pronunciation is so good that I enjoy your videos. I can concentrate myself when you speak. I learn a lot with you, thanks!!!

[@wildchookMaryP]

This is one of the best videos on note taking. Its a simple and easy method to follow. Thanks.

[@smilingscholar8697]

Love that this method helps you organize right away without jotting everything down then organizing later. Great video Emma!

[@mariadejesuscastillorivera7099]

Hi Emma, thank you so much for sharing this video. It has been very helpful because I am getting prepared to study at the University. (I know it won't be easy going back to school after years). For sure, it's exciting!! Thank you for your class. Greetings from Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

[@AgusWibowo08]

You are my favorite English teacher from now, Emma. Thank you so much..

[@ludwingguate]

Thank you Emma!! You're a great teacher and your lessons are very useful and clear!

[@MohamadNoorRizal]

Thanks, very helpful! I am more comfortable using my laptop to take note, especially using OneNote application. This method can also be applied too in OneNote. We can create two columns to separate between key ideas and the details. Also we can easily add picture from internet. The best part is this application uses cloud storage so you can check your notes from all of your device. :)

[@MrMohammedAlmulla]

Thanks Emma! This method seems brilliant and highly efficient. I must try it next time I take notes 😄 Keep making great videos 👍

[@alinadaych8866]

Thank you so much ! I am in middle school , but l got a writing assignment to write a narrative using my own notes. The Cornell method helped me take notes quickly more efficient and organized. Definitely a thumbs up from me!

[@nealbangia4525]

Thank you very much. I am from Montréal and I was never taught this method. However, I did develop on my own a rough idea of how to take notes that I was never able to finalize, but I think that your video just cinched it for me, so I am really very grateful!

[@gustavoprato5963]

I would love to see more videos that help me study, cause i'm in college! Thanks Emma!

[@hoainiem4856]

Thanks so much for your video. I can listen clearly when doing listening exerciese through critical listening, but it's a little bit hard for me to catch up the videos when listening and taking notes at the same times, even I can miss much important information needed to take note. After studying your instruction, I also find out what my matters are, it turns out that I just need to take note key words or main points and don't need to take full sentences or all things professors talking about. This way helps me be comfortable during the listening process and also have time to think critically when listening and acquiring anything spoken from others.

[@jonadabebarbosa9376]

Hi, I am Brazilian, and I am studying English, I loved your classes, you are the best! Congratulations... Thank you...

[@carlblaskowitz7817]

Thank you very much Emma! I am a native English speaking American and I found your Cornell Notes segment most useful. Thanks to you, I now only take notes using the Cornell method.

[@ikonhero]

Very useful. I'll be going back to school soon after a break of 20 years. Good to hear that writing notis is still better practice than using a laptop during a lecture.

[@danifrac]

Emma, you're brilliant... see I teach English to Technicians and this could be very useful to them!!! Many thanks!!!

[@davidvianello5881]

That will definitely make me more organized during work meetings. We brought someone to a very important meeting, and he was the one taking roles. He was a little too "active" and avoided essential information like deadlines. This can't happen again. I will take notes in every single meeting from now on. It's difficult to rely on people who lack these kind of skills. Thank you.

[@dalenjurgens6751]

This is awesome! I am 52 this year, never been good at note taking. This will help a whole lot!

[@user-ul4qj7pu7z]

thank you teacher , im studying on university of literature english , and i understand the lessons only of you , no once even in university , thank you Very Much teacher

[@md-2712]

Great lesson! Thank you, Emma :)

[@ejd53]

I graduated from Cornell in 1976 and I used this method (slightly modified by the end). It worked well.

[@daneluc1301]

I Never gonna tired to say you're the best than i could see before. all of you; Rebecca Emma. Alex, Adam...and other one who disappears from my mind.... thank you very much.

[@metmet60]

Another Masterclass! Thank you veru much EMMA!!!

[@JeffRyman69]

I wasn't aware of the Cornell method when I was either an undergraduate or graduate student, but in graduate school I found a method that worked for me. I would take the best notes I could in class. Then on the same day I would rewrite those notes to make them more complete. I used the textbook, if any, and at least one other textbook to help myself understand the material as I was working on my rewritten notes. I figured out that my most effective method of learning is to physically write the material on paper. Somehow that implants the material in my brain. That was before the advent of personal computers. Now in retirement I am trying to learn (or relearn) some materials through self study and I have found that typing the material for my notes is not as effective as the act of writing on paper. Your mileage may vary.

[@MajorPaneIntl]

I am with you. Typing doesnt sync it as much as writing. I am taking a PM course and i find myself writing each and every word even while reading and it sticks that way. It is too bad (good) to have a learning style that requires writing lol

[@victorlionelnazaire685]

Hey Emma, your lecture is very clear and simple to follow ! Pleasant to listen to as well.

[@Pedro-cn9ez]

Thanks teacher. Your voice is so "clean" and easy to understand... Tks a lot!!! This metod will be very useful!

[@jacobwoodard8790]

Thanks for clarifying that it isn't 2060. I was confused.

[@elrwack]

If you are writing questions, main ideas or topics in the left hand column first, then you are not making Cornell Notes, but rather 2 column notes. They are only Cornell Notes if the notes are taken on the right hand side first, and then once the notes are completed, the questions are formed afterwards. Ideally, the notes should be reviewed and revised before the questions are done. One of the purposes of Cornell Notes is to be looking at the information multiple times so it that it is lodged in the brain. Another major reason for making CN is that you are analyzing and synthesizing the information, thus gaining a deeper and more complete understanding of the material. There is nothing wrong with taking 2 column notes; however, they are not Cornell Notes and they don't serve the same purpose.

[@archivez101]

elrwack exactly! I was confused at what she’s was saying and this way of note taking when listening to your professor isn’t gonna be efficient

[@adielsantiago633]

Emma, thanks for the great tips. They'll help us to improve our studies.

[@amarredalmar5138]

You are the only realiable teacher that I always watch. Emma ,great teacher.

[@samirahsamir6930]

This video help me A lot wAllahi. I got headache coz of how my teachers teach me i couldn’t understand it but now better than before Alhamdulilah 😊🤗

[@nolabrah]

I'm a returning adult student starting this week and I've been pretty nervous about my note taking skills. But this video really gave me some ideas on how I can improve those skills! Looking forward to putting this to practice! Thanks, Emma! :)

[@VillaSpark]

Same here, we got this!

[@Kalymnah]

Hey ! How is it going? Has it helped you? I’ll be a returning adult student in a year as well and I’ve been nervous about it as well!

[@paulter78]

Brilliant and absolutely clear explanation. Thank you ever so much!

[@BELINC7]

Your 4 minute introduction is appropriate to establish common ground, motivation and purpose. Thank you I will try this.

[@EdgarMartinez-uq6px]

Thanks so much Emma :) ... You are the best teacher that I have had

[@yousefalharbi6064]

The best teacher ever ❤️

[@thesolitairegambit2556]

Amazing! Your video was so easy to understand and very practical. I'd always wonder about Cornell's method and what was all about. I'm definitely going to be using it on my notetaking.

[@jasons.9624]

I haven't try this method yet, but I will try this next school year, I also suggest to put "Possible Questions" on this method and answer them on your owm based on your understanding. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS MA'AM, THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO ABOUT THIS I'VE EVER WATCHED.

[@jelobucao8601]

This is great! I've learned a lot. This is gonna be a good thing to come for me. She's great everything about her lessons is cool.

[@amnasalman3641]

Tip from me: If you are allowed to take a computer in class then just, simply put on the voice recorder (on the voice recorder) and then your whole lecture is recorded and you can listen to it before your test or exam or take notes after the lecture.

[@manoelluiz8936]

Hi Emma! I'm in college now and I really found the Cornell Method very helpful for my note taking. Thanks for sharing this.

[@katiemansfield3115]

Thank you, for creating this video! I have been wanting to become better with note-taking. This really helps me out.

[@pluto_hotsauce]

Thank you so much! I always thought that this method was more efficient with scientific classes, but you broke it down so well! I was super overwhelmed with my three hours online lectures, you probably saved my semester xD Thank you so much again !!

[@portalirm]

Thanks a lot, Emma! Excelent, as usual... :-)

[@justanerdwholiftweights4061]

Ahem ...... Excellent*

[@9292thanh]

i love your sound... easy for me to listen and understand what did u say. thank you so much, hope for more videos from u.

[@nasrullahluni2464]

Hi Emma ma'am, you are doing a great job as usual. Your way of teaching is outstanding. Keep teaching us

[@teodoropina8075]

Thanks you very much. I'm watching all videos. 😌

[@girlvibes5035]

Good she clarified that I’m not in 2060, I initially thought I had forgotten a lot of years.

[@Brisamarina08]

Thank you very much Emma!! This metod looks like very interesting and your classes are marvellous!!

[@joaoluismellodasilvavenard8634]

CONGRATULATIONS /EMMA! THE VIDEO IS AMAZING FOR ALL KIND OU TASKS WE NEED TO PERFORM BETTER AND EFFICICENTLY !!

[@OneCatholicSpeaks]

Wow! I wish I knew about this method when I was in school during the '80s and '90s. It seems like this would be simple enough to teach to students as early as fifth grade. By the time they are in college, it would be second nature. The question I have is about spacing. How many lines to jump down when going to another main topic. I wonder what the presenter would say about tape recorders (and iPods set to record) in class.

[@pablobond_vzla]

Why can I understand that Emma says totally but I can't do it with another english speaker? She always talks high and clear and her pronunciation is perfect, every words she says sounds clearly but another people seems they are whispering or humming.

[@user-gy7hh7hq7v]

Hi Pablo, I think this is because there are too many English speaking countries and they have different accents or dialects. In my country, we have too many accents. sometimes, I even don't know what people who talk in my native language are saying. and the best way to deal with this problem is to listen to different types of accents with subtitles and when you get used to understand them you can listen to them without subtitles. I f you use this way, I garenty, that you'll get better with your English listening.

[@pablobond_vzla]

+Zeena Maki Thank you Zeena! You're right, in fact in my country occurs the same like your, in every region you can find differents accents and dialects. I'll be practicing your advice!

[@vinibarich4893]

Me too, man. Unfortunately, that's life in english...

[@user-gy7hh7hq7v]

+PabloBond_Vzla, I'm really glad that I could help you. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[@naviateb5007]

I also wonder about that.

[@GurjeetSingh-ed6kq]

Thanks! God Bless you! Your efforts for this video really appreciable, you are a good Teacher!

[@collinhull9356]

Appreciate you for sharing your methodology you've applied.

[@feelingshurt]

Two things I have learned in this video; 1. She didn't take notes in English class 2. She didn't take notes in giving a tutorial. Got it!

[@garamjahad8947]

Cornell Method -4 boxes(Title&Date/Subject/Definition/Conclusion) What I have learned: Cornell Method = Simple Analogy of the lesson you are studying.

[@psblad2667]

Mind maps!! I have used it for 40 years and it is outstanding!!!

[@manop2000]

Nowadays, I learn by recording the voice of the professor by cellphone. (And taking picture on the blackboard as well.) Then back home, re-listening it, then taking notes. However, I like your videos about the tips. Keep doing it, I'm your fan. Thank a lot.

[@Spicey123]

Hey Emma! Thank you for this amazing and detailed video. I did have one question though, what happens if I run out of space on my first page? Should I do a summary for each page I have filled with notes or only one huge takeaway at the end of my class?

[@borncritical4801]

I have the same question.

[@crystalcove99]

Imagine watching this on August 8th, 2060

[@itorres008]

All schedule it and meet here then! (😟 Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make it)

[@andyricardez8536]

This method has been really useful. Never in my life Heard about it. Thanks a lot Emma. I subscribe.

[@elizabethm193]

I love the way you explained it. Thank you

[@minutodoalerta]

Great

[@williamwright1900]

Hey, Thanks for the tutorials. I did my speaking test yesterday and I am hopeful for a great score. I will be sitting my written test tomorrow.

[@davidhayman7623]

Thank you so much for sharing such quality content, I've struggled with note taking for a very long time this video has been a real light bulb moment for me super helpful. Keep it up peace and love😊 🙏

[@RelaxBabyDeepSleep]

G R E A T

[@gracemakiese7135]

Who is watching in 2023?

[@hilariataimipeter4312]

Me from 🇬🇲

[@MURIIIXO]

Makes me wonder if I'll actually live to see 2060

[@hza1203]

I am! When she said Facebook I was like huh? How old is this video 😂 seems informative so far!!👏

[@Faith-fullJourney]

👋

[@superwormhalz2607]

I'm in 2060

[@physicskamali6909]

You are my great professor. Your teaching way is so lovely.

[@user-nz1dv9fv1g]

thank u teacher, this is something new for me, abd also i want to let u knw that i like the clear leesons and the clear accent u use while talking. foreigners appreciate it cuz we can understand. 👏👍 greetings from México.😉

[@tymira3027]

why the heck did i watch this when my exams are over?

[@livresquelivresque645]

The problem is that the professor speaks too quick, so we can't apply this method when he's speaking, this will take a lot of time

[@cgasu0311]

Good points.....cues on the left, notes/dates/info on right and summary on the bottom.... Good stuff.

[@arpit9180]

This video really made my day and i'm confident that this will make my life too.

[@tracerfissure3771]

Alright, I'll see you guys in 2060

[@girlvibes5035]

TracerFissure she is time travelling

[@michelleonardo4389]

Hahaha see ya

[@itsjustjo9592]

anyone from school im typing this while in online school while in a meeting

[@herbertj3105]

when writing your college assignments and get stuck or are struggling with course work contact me at officialessaygiant@gmail. com. I will help you write high quality papers within your timeline

[@terresac9799]

Thank you! Back to school after 30 years. Extremely helpful video.

[@handsome526]

Taking notes is really important and saving them can sometimes be even more important 🎉

[@moayadsrour4408]

who's here in 2019!!

[@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper]

Thank youuuu

[@livresquelivresque645]

Me

[@workinprogress9613]

not me

[@thewalk78]

Me

[@MrPink2024]

11:04 You *can't end certain words with an "ER" in America* anymore. 👍🏿

[@angelrussell750]

Er can be used as a suffix. Remember Dec isn't always 12 it's ten like Decade 10 years. Oct isn't always 10 it's 8 like octopus. Language Arts books showed me this.

[@jsprite123]

@@angelrussell750 I don't think months of the year is what he had in mind...

[@MrPink2024]

@@jsprite123 *Exactly. --->* 👍🏿

[@Cbze]

This video really helped me. The instructor was so sweet and nice, it made it easier to learn and not feel stupid. Thank you.

[@hendrinanhawa6597]

Expressive 💝

[@hendrinanhawa6597]

Expressive 💝

[@francineW1]

wow! Thank You so much for this information!!! I always wanted to take better notes.... You explained the Cornell Way very well and it really makes sense to me THANKS!

[@mimmuetellod1214]

I am distracted by the too much hand gesture. but the video's still great.

[@elsa3dany1]

I don't think that will work with Engineering :'( That's a great video! Thank you so much.

[@HG-gr8sl]

works with concepts, theories, formulas, examples and problem solving. good luck with engingeering

[@guepardo.1]

It's better for Englishnearing.

[@ashishpuranik3471]

Thanks for explaining in a very lucid manner.

[@masoudmousavi8355]

Great thanks. It is actually useful for taking note in class. Would you mind if you have a video talking specifically about the note taking in TOEFL reading and listening parts?

[@Thor-oq4pq]

Who's here in 2018?

[@eyesalooking]

I am. I just watched the video on May 20, 2018. Don't know how useful it will be for learning Chinese (Mandarin) but I will give it a try.

[@lakkanram773]

me

[@Collegewifi]

nahhh 2019 boiz

[@HayatKhan-mf5yj]

@@Collegewifi me here

[@rebecaromeroestrada1015]

I'm only in 2060, sorry

[@OuterSpace-io5er]

Who is watching in 2024? ☺️

[@martindiaz9314]

Great explanation, thank you so much!

[@tranminhquang4541]

thank u emma .you and others at engvid are all very dedicated teachers