Library Guides: Learning Strategies: Reading & Note Taking

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Tip Sheets for Reading & Note Taking

Click on the icons or the titles to download the tip sheets.

Cornell Note-Taking	Organize your notes with the Cornell method. It's a good way to distinguish the main points of a concept, which is very helpful when you're studying!
Active Reading using Flash Cards	Flash cards are a great way to make your reading more active. Using learning outcomes, come up with questions you are trying to answer from the readings. As you read, record these answers on your flashcards. Edit your flashcards after the lecture if necessary. Then, use these as a retrieval aid during weekly reviews or shuffle them up to interleave the topics. A list of recommended flash card apps is on the Test Preparation & Test Taking page.
SQ4R	This reading strategy will teach you how to effectively read a textbook to absorb and retain the material.

Organize your notes with the Cornell method. It's a good way to distinguish the main points of a concept, which is very helpful when you're studying!

Active Reading using Flash Cards

Flash cards are a great way to make your reading more active. Using learning outcomes, come up with questions you are trying to answer from the readings. As you read, record these answers on your flashcards. Edit your flashcards after the lecture if necessary. Then, use these as a retrieval aid during weekly reviews or shuffle them up to interleave the topics.

A list of recommended flash card apps is on the Test Preparation & Test Taking page.

SQ4R

This reading strategy will teach you how to effectively read a textbook to absorb and retain the material.

Online Resources & Apps

The apps below are great note-taking apps that can combine photos, text and handwriting for your electronic notes.

Notability	Notability is available on the Apple App Store. Annotate PDFs, markup photos, and receive verbal and written comments from team members.

OneNote	All Centennial College students have Office 365 OneNote through their myCentennial account. OneNote is also available on the App Store and the Play Store. Organize your notes with different notebooks.

Rocketbook	If you prefer to handwrite your notes, consider a reusable Rocketbook notebook! Write your notes with an erasable pen and use the Rocketbook app to scan and save your notes wherever you want.

Please, note that the products listed above are not endorsed by Centennial College or sponsored by the companies in any way. Students accessing these products are doing so at their own discretion and risk.