Student Success Centre – Spotlight on: Reading and Note Taking

Start the academic year strong with good note taking strategies and making the most of the resources the Student Success Centre has to offer.

One suggested Note-taking Method? The Cornell System

• Divide page into a column on the left 30% of the page’s width (cues), a column on the right 70% of the width (notes), and a row at the bottom with 5-7 lines (summary).
• Cues: key words, relevant textbook pages, diagrams, anecdotes
• Notes: important point-form details recorded during lecture
• Summary: main ideas and themes, summarized after class

Improve your writing and study skills! Book an appointment with a writing advisor and/or academic coach on OSCARplus.

Questions? Email skills@mcmaster.ca.