Each AVID student is expected to use Focused Note Taking. Whether you use the Cornell note-taking system, or a different method, your goal is to understand the note-taking system that will increase your learning.  Cornell Notes are what we use in the AVID elective; they were designed at Cornell University and are a proven system for taking notes. Cornell notes are taken in class, during lectures and from homework.  They are kept in the AVID binder and intended to be used when studying, during tutorials and in test prep.

How to take Focused Notes

Divide the paper into three sections.
  • Draw a dark horizontal line about 5 or 6 lines from the bottom. 
    Draw a dark vertical line about 2 inches from the left side of the paper from the top to the horizontal line.
  • Write notes and Organize your Notes.
  • Listen & take notes in your own words
  • Paraphrase what you hear
  • Skip lines between ideas
  • Abbreviate
  • Use symbols
  • Write in phrases
  • Use bullets/lists
  • Recognize cues
  • Review and clarify.
  • Review the notes as soon as possible after class.
  • Pull out main ideas, key points, dates, and people, and write these in the left column.

Summarize.
  • Write a summary of the main ideas in the bottom section.
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