Do you find it difficult to take effective notes in class? If so, you might try something called the Cornell note-taking system (which was invented by a professor at Cornell University in the 1940s). It is a method of taking notes that is very organized and designed to make reviewing easier.
First, split your page into two columns — a "Notes" column on the right, and a "Questions" column on the left. Also, leave a few lines at the bottom of the page—this will be your "Summary" section. During class, take notes in the right-hand column using short sentences and lists. Then, after class, fill in the left-hand column with questions that can be answered using your notes. When you come to review, you can cover the "Notes" section and then use the questions on the left to test your knowledge of the topic. You should also summarize your notes into one simple paragraph in the "Summary" section as soon as possible after class. This will help your brain to properly process what you've just learned.
Take a look at this example from a class on US history. Can you see how easy it would be to review for a test using notes like this?
Subject: US History
Topic: The Wall Street Crash
Date: 7th December
Questions
1. When did the Crash happen?
2. Who was the US president at the time?
3. How long did the effects of the Crash last?
4. When and why did the economy recover?
5. What were the five main causes of the Crash?
6. What were the five main consequences?
Notes
General
1. Date of the Crash: October 29, 1929
2. President at the time: Herbert Hoover
3. Effects lasted 12 years (1929–1941)
4. Economy recovered in 1941 when US joined World War II
Causes (5)
1. Too many goods being produced
2. Low wages = many couldn’t afford to buy luxury goods
3. Too many people buying stocks on credit
4. Too many small banks with not enough funds
5. Too much gambling on the stock market
Consequences (5)
1. 5000 banks went out of business
2. Over 13 million people lost their jobs
3. 1–2 million people had to travel to find work
4. 45% drop in production
5. 80% drop in house building
Summary
The Wall Street Crash (October 29, 1929) was an important event in US history. Its main causes were too much production and not enough buying, the existence of too many small banks, and too much lending combined with high-risk gambling on the stock market. After the crash, the banking system collapsed and millions lost their jobs. It also seriously affected the production and house-building industries. These effects lasted until the US joined WWII in 1941.
你是否覺得上課時製作有效的筆記，是件困難的事？倘若如此，也許可以試試所謂的「康奈爾筆記系統」（由1940年代的一名康奈爾大學教授所發明）。這種記筆記的方式非常有組織，設計上更容易複習。
首先，將你的筆記本頁面劃分為兩欄─右邊是「筆記」欄，左邊是「問題」欄。同樣的，在頁底留下幾行的空間─這將會是你的「摘要」區。上課的時候，請以簡短句子和清單的方
式，在右欄做筆記。下課後，在左欄寫滿可以用你的筆記答覆的問題。當你複習筆記時，就能遮住「筆記」欄，然後用左欄的問題來測試自己對該主題的認知程度。你同樣也要將筆記做摘要整理，在課程結束後儘快在「摘要」區整理成一個簡要的段落。這能讓你的腦袋適當地處理你剛學過的東西。
請看一下某美國歷史課的例子。你是否發現到，如果考前運用這樣的筆記來複習，會輕鬆許多呢？
科目：美國歷史
主題：華爾街股災
日期：12月7日
問題
1. 股災何時發生？
2. 當時的美國總統是誰？
3. 股災的影響持續多久？
4. 經濟在何時復甦？復甦的原因為何？
5. 股災的主要五個原因為何？
6. 主要的五個後果為何？
筆記
概況
1. 股災日期：1929年10月29日
2. 當時的總統：赫伯特•胡佛
3. 影響持續12年（1929年到1941年）
4. 1941年，美國加入第二次世界大戰時，經濟才復甦。
成因（5個）
1. 生產過剩
2. 低工資＝許多人買不起奢侈品
3. 太多人賒購股票
4. 太多小型銀行，沒有足夠的資金
5. 股市出現過多賭博性質的投機行為
後果（5個）
1. 5,000家銀行垮台
2. 超過1,300萬人失業
3. 100至200萬人必須跋涉尋找工作
4. 產能下降45%
5. 房屋營造工程下降80%
摘要
華爾街股災（1929年10月29日）是美國史上很重要的一個事件。其主因為生產過剩、購買力不足、太多小型銀行存在、以及股市中太多伴隨著高風險賭博性質的借貸行為。在股災之後，銀行系統崩塌，上百萬人失業。這也嚴重地影響了生產力與房屋營造業。這些影響持續到1941年美國加入第二次世界大戰才結束。
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