Part 3.a: Note-taking Basics and Tips

Forget the spiral. Use loose leaf (like the papers in your binder) to take notes on. You can get access, reorganize the order and have the flexibility that a spiral notebook does not have.

For free, pre-formatted Cornell note paper (and many other useful templates) try
http://www.printablepaper.net/preview/Cornell_Notes-letter

Also, highlighting is good in limited form. Get only the WORDS or phrases that are pithy and convey key ideas. A highlighter pen will not serve you if it is your only tool. I’ve seen countless sources with consecutive paragraphs underlined/highlighted. How can this be helpful?

Edit and summarize as you go, since you will be using this as source material for your own written notes. You will also be framing the information in your own way, and not just copying.

[BTW: sorry for the long break since the last entry; got too many irons in the fire!]