Boost Your Grades: Effective Note-Taking Strategies for Students - Cornell Method and SQ4R Technique Explained

Although taking notes in class is an important part of the learning process, most students who take notes in class rarely look at them again! Reading and note taking are key strategies for helping students learn and retain content in their classes.

I recommend that students aim to complete your assigned readings BEFORE class, as this will make it easier to follow along and take notes in class. As well, I suggest reviewing your notes within 24 hours AFTER class, while the information is still fresh in your brain. Studies show that students who regularly read their textbooks and take notes during class get higher grades!

Cornell Method for Taking Notes

The Cornell notes method has been around since the 1940s. It’s a unique system of taking, organizing, and reviewing your notes. This technique allows you to visualize the main takeaways of your lecture in a way that allows you to quiz yourself on the material later by covering portions of the text. Cornell notes can be helpful because recording notes in class will help you concentrate in class and prevent you from forgetting what you learn. So, how do you do it?

First, draw a margin for questions. Take notes on the right side only. When done all notes, go back and write corresponding questions in the questions column. Then, summarize your notes briefly at the bottom. When it’s time to review your notes, simply cover the notes section and quiz yourself by reading just the questions.

SQ4R Technique for Reading

Another great technique is called SQ4R. These are the main components of the SQ4R strategy, which will also help to set you up for success.

S: Survey/Scan

Read the CONTENTS first and ask yourself, “What do I know about this already?” Read the INTRODUCTION & SUMMARY. Now read any bolded TERMINOLOGY. You don’t have to memorize, just read. SCAN the chapter and look at the pictures, read the learning objectives, headings, titles of diagrams/pictures, and bolded words. Get an overall sense of the chapter you will be reading.

Q & R: Question and Read

Write down questions that are listed at the beginning or end of the chapter. You can also use the weekly learning outcomes from your course outline. Write each question on a separate flash card. Do this BEFORE you start to read. Now you can read the chapter! Go paragraph-by-paragraph. As you read the chapter, look for the ANSWERS to the QUESTIONS and when you find them, pause your reading and write the answers down on the opposite side of the flash card as you find them. You can LOOK UP any words you don’t know. 

R: Reflect

REFLECT on what you have read and relate it to yourself or to other information you have learned. Create a way to make a connection to the info to make it stick in your brain.

R: Recite

Without looking at the text, restate your questions and RECITE the answers out loud in your own words.

R: Review

REVIEW the questions by quizzing yourself as often as possible! The more often you review the flash cards, the higher the chance you will commit the info to memory.

To be successful in school, you need to be well-prepared by having completed your assigned readings. This can be a very different experience from high school to university! It’s so important to listen and read mindfully and be aware of what is helpful and not helpful for us. If you need additional assistance, your school like likely have specific learning resources that can help you with reading and note-taking skills, or even peer coaches or writing experts who are there to support your communication skills.

Reading thoughtfully and taking thorough notes will pay dividends in the long run, as they are such essential academic skills. Trying these strategies may help you keep ideas compartmentalized, analyze new ideas, and understand connections between different concepts.

I hope these tips help you get the most out of your learning.