Cornell Method
- Developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University in the 1950s
- Divide pages into three sections, one for notes, cues, and a summary
Outline Method
- Hierarchical organization of topics, subtopics, and details
- Helps identify relationships between concepts
- Use indentation and bullet points for different levels
Mapping Method
- Visual representation of information
- Encourages creativity and relationships between ideas
- Can be messy and unorganized
- Main topic in the middle, with branches out to different subtopics and details
Charting Method
- Organize information into tables
- Useful for comparing topics
- Simplifies complex information
Sentence Method
- Write down sentences for topics
- Simple, quick, and works well in fast-paced lectures
- Easy to review and re-organize at a later time
Boxing Method
- Draw boxes around related information
- Use different colors or shapes around different topics
- Especially helpful for neurodivergence
- Similar to Mapping Method, but topics are compartmentalized
Free-Flowing Method
- Using arrows, bullet points, and symbols to connect ideas
- Good for single-page notes, and drawing diagrams
- Visually appealing; a good default if you don’t know another method
- Can be distracting to spend time decorating your notes
Note Taking Showdown
Background
- Tim Urban talks about his experience as a government major having to write many papers
- The typical student strategy is to work steady over time
- In contrast, Tim planned to work steadily but always procrastinated
- Mentioned an example of his 90-page senior thesis, and how he procrastinated to do it in just 3 days
Understanding Procrastination
- Started writing about procrastination to explain it to non-procrastination
- His hypothesis was that procrastinators have different brain functions
The Procrastinator’s Brain
- The procrastinator’s brain has two main parts:
- Rational Decision-Maker → focuses on productivity; long-term planning
- Instant Gratification Monkey → seeks immediate pleasure; avoids work
- Conflict arises when the rational decision-maker wants productivity, but the “monkey” takes over.
- The only thing that can scare the gratification monkey into action is the “panic monster”
- The panic monster is the “guardian angel” of procrastinators
- The panic monster is a motivator who appears when deadlines are imminent
- In situations with no deadlines, procrastination is especially bad
Conclusion
- Everyone procrastinates; it’s up to you to control your procrastination
- Think about what you’re procrastinating in life, and if you can, you should start it soon