Do you take notes in class? Are they actually helpful for you? Let's learn about the CORNELL METHOD of note-taking. This is a great method for taking notes in class (or from your textbook, or watching a video). There's no way to remember every word of a lecture. But taking great lecture notes is the first step to getting good grades and being a great student. The most important rule is don't write down every word. Listen carefully, then write simplified and abbreviated phrases that capture the main ideas. When you get home, RE-READ your notes! Proofread them, making corrections as needed before you forget. Check your notes with a friend! In the margin, write brief headers that will cue your memory of each section of your notes. Finally, write a summary at the bottom of the page so you can quickly tell what this page of notes is all about.