What is the most effective way to take study notes?

The most effective method is the Cornell Note-Taking System, where you divide your page into a narrow left column for cues or questions, a wider right column for main notes, and a summary section at the bottom. During study, write key ideas in the right column, then afterward condense them into questions or keywords on the left. This forces active recall rather than passive re-reading. Beyond format, the biggest factor is processing information in your own words rather than copying verbatim. Combine this with spaced repetition by reviewing notes after 24 hours, then a week later. Handwriting notes tends to improve retention over typing because it requires summarizing rather than transcribing word for word.