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Daniel
Student
Trenton, New Jersey
1
Question
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Hi, I am a high school senior planning on attending college for finance. What is the best way to format notes in that field #Spring25?
Hi, I am a high school senior planning on attending college for finance. What is the best way to format notes in that field? #Spring25
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3 answers
Lauren Williams
Accounting
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Daniel! Great question! When I was in college I took notes the old fashioned way - with pen and paper. For some reason I retain information better when I write things down, so this really worked well for me. I had a different notebook for each of my courses, which made it easy to go back and review notes for quizzes and exams. If you do decide to type your class notes, I would recommend using something like OneNote where you can organize everything by course and have all of your notes in one place. I hope this helps! Wishing you the best of luck in college!
David Ludwick
CEO
69
Answers
Huntington Beach, California
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Daniel,
For a high school senior preparing for a college finance major, the **Cornell Note-Taking System** is highly effective for finance studies due to its structured approach, which aligns well with the analytical and detail-oriented nature of the subject. Here’s why and how to use it:
Why Cornell Note-Taking?
- **Organizes complex information**: Finance involves concepts like financial statements, ratios, and markets, which require clear organization to understand relationships and calculations.
- **Encourages active learning**: The system promotes summarizing and questioning, helping you process and retain abstract financial concepts.
- **Facilitates review**: Summaries and cues make it easier to revisit key points for exams or projects.
- **Adaptable for quantitative and qualitative content**: It handles both numerical data (e.g., formulas, ratios) and theoretical concepts (e.g., market theories).
How to Use the Cornell System for Finance
1. **Divide your page**:
- **Left Column (Cue/Questions, ~2.5 inches)**: Write key terms (e.g., "CAPM," "liquidity ratio"), formulas, or questions (e.g., "How is NPV calculated?").
- **Right Column (Notes, ~6 inches)**: Record detailed explanations, examples (e.g., a sample balance sheet), and step-by-step calculations during lectures or reading.
- **Bottom Section (Summary, ~2 inches)**: After class, write a concise summary of the main concepts (e.g., "Time value of money underpins investment decisions").
2. **During Lectures/Reading**:
- Focus on capturing key finance concepts, definitions (e.g., "amortization"), and formulas (e.g., PV = FV / (1+r)^n).
- Note real-world examples (e.g., how companies use debt financing) to connect theory to practice.
- Use abbreviations (e.g., "ROE" for Return on Equity) to keep up with fast-paced lectures.
3. **After Class**:
- Review and refine notes within 24 hours to reinforce understanding.
- In the cue column, add questions that test understanding (e.g., "Why does higher leverage increase risk?").
- Summarize the lecture or chapter in the bottom section to solidify the big picture.
4. **For Quantitative Topics**:
- Dedicate space in the notes column for worked examples (e.g., calculating bond yields).
- Use diagrams or tables (e.g., cash flow timelines) to visualize concepts like discounted cash flows.
5. **Study and Review**:
- Cover the notes column and use the cue column to quiz yourself on definitions, formulas, or processes.
- Regularly revisit summaries to reinforce core concepts like risk-return trade-offs or financial modeling.
Tips for Finance Studies
- **Supplement with visuals**: For topics like portfolio theory, sketch graphs (e.g., efficient frontier) in the notes column.
- **Use digital tools**: Apps like Notion or OneNote can adapt the Cornell format for searchable, organized notes.
- **Practice active recall**: Finance requires memorizing formulas and applying them, so test yourself frequently using the cue column.
- **Group related concepts**: Link topics like interest rates, inflation, and monetary policy in your summaries to see the bigger picture.
Why Not Other Methods?
- **Outlining**: Too linear for finance’s interconnected concepts; less effective for quick review.
- **Mind Mapping**: Great for brainstorming but less structured for detailed calculations or formulas.
- **Charting**: Useful for specific topics (e.g., comparing financial ratios) but not versatile enough for all finance content.
The Cornell system’s balance of structure, flexibility, and review makes it ideal for mastering finance’s mix of theory, math, and application. Start practicing it now to build a strong foundation for college. Good luck with your studies in college!
For a high school senior preparing for a college finance major, the **Cornell Note-Taking System** is highly effective for finance studies due to its structured approach, which aligns well with the analytical and detail-oriented nature of the subject. Here’s why and how to use it:
Why Cornell Note-Taking?
- **Organizes complex information**: Finance involves concepts like financial statements, ratios, and markets, which require clear organization to understand relationships and calculations.
- **Encourages active learning**: The system promotes summarizing and questioning, helping you process and retain abstract financial concepts.
- **Facilitates review**: Summaries and cues make it easier to revisit key points for exams or projects.
- **Adaptable for quantitative and qualitative content**: It handles both numerical data (e.g., formulas, ratios) and theoretical concepts (e.g., market theories).
How to Use the Cornell System for Finance
1. **Divide your page**:
- **Left Column (Cue/Questions, ~2.5 inches)**: Write key terms (e.g., "CAPM," "liquidity ratio"), formulas, or questions (e.g., "How is NPV calculated?").
- **Right Column (Notes, ~6 inches)**: Record detailed explanations, examples (e.g., a sample balance sheet), and step-by-step calculations during lectures or reading.
- **Bottom Section (Summary, ~2 inches)**: After class, write a concise summary of the main concepts (e.g., "Time value of money underpins investment decisions").
2. **During Lectures/Reading**:
- Focus on capturing key finance concepts, definitions (e.g., "amortization"), and formulas (e.g., PV = FV / (1+r)^n).
- Note real-world examples (e.g., how companies use debt financing) to connect theory to practice.
- Use abbreviations (e.g., "ROE" for Return on Equity) to keep up with fast-paced lectures.
3. **After Class**:
- Review and refine notes within 24 hours to reinforce understanding.
- In the cue column, add questions that test understanding (e.g., "Why does higher leverage increase risk?").
- Summarize the lecture or chapter in the bottom section to solidify the big picture.
4. **For Quantitative Topics**:
- Dedicate space in the notes column for worked examples (e.g., calculating bond yields).
- Use diagrams or tables (e.g., cash flow timelines) to visualize concepts like discounted cash flows.
5. **Study and Review**:
- Cover the notes column and use the cue column to quiz yourself on definitions, formulas, or processes.
- Regularly revisit summaries to reinforce core concepts like risk-return trade-offs or financial modeling.
Tips for Finance Studies
- **Supplement with visuals**: For topics like portfolio theory, sketch graphs (e.g., efficient frontier) in the notes column.
- **Use digital tools**: Apps like Notion or OneNote can adapt the Cornell format for searchable, organized notes.
- **Practice active recall**: Finance requires memorizing formulas and applying them, so test yourself frequently using the cue column.
- **Group related concepts**: Link topics like interest rates, inflation, and monetary policy in your summaries to see the bigger picture.
Why Not Other Methods?
- **Outlining**: Too linear for finance’s interconnected concepts; less effective for quick review.
- **Mind Mapping**: Great for brainstorming but less structured for detailed calculations or formulas.
- **Charting**: Useful for specific topics (e.g., comparing financial ratios) but not versatile enough for all finance content.
The Cornell system’s balance of structure, flexibility, and review makes it ideal for mastering finance’s mix of theory, math, and application. Start practicing it now to build a strong foundation for college. Good luck with your studies in college!
Christopher Rowling
Accounting
2
Answers
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Daniel,
That's a great question! I also like taking notes with pen and paper. It's important to think about the kind of information you need to remember, as the way you take notes can change a lot depending on the class. I find bullet points really helpful because they make the information easier to follow and serve as a good guide for the lesson. I also suggest joining study groups or working with classmates. Sharing experiences with others in the same class can give you new insights.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
That's a great question! I also like taking notes with pen and paper. It's important to think about the kind of information you need to remember, as the way you take notes can change a lot depending on the class. I find bullet points really helpful because they make the information easier to follow and serve as a good guide for the lesson. I also suggest joining study groups or working with classmates. Sharing experiences with others in the same class can give you new insights.
Hope this helps. Good luck!