Learn Better with the Cornell Method of Note-Taking

The Cornell Method is an approach to note-taking designed to help students and professionals with the organisation and retention of information. This method has been recognised for its effectiveness and practised by students and professionals up until today.

You might wonder what could be so special about note-taking and whether you can also get its benefits and applications in fields beyond education.

The Birth of the Cornell Method

Dr. Walter Pauk, an education professor at Cornell University introduced this method in his book How to Study in College, first published in 1962.

He created the method as a tool for students to help with their learning, particularly to improve the retention of large amounts of information that is often part of college-level courses. Over time, it became a widely adopted technique due to its simplicity, flexibility, and effectiveness in improving both comprehension and recall.

What is the Cornell Method of Note-Taking?

The Cornell Method is a note-taking system that is developed by Dr. Walter Pauk in the 1940s. It divides a page into three sections:

a main notes area
a cues section
a summary section

The three simple sections are actually a strategic way of organising notes that allow you to actively engage with the material both during and after the initial note-taking process.

The Cornell Method’s Structure

The Cornell Method’s structure is as follows:

Main Notes Area:

The largest section of the page is where detailed notes are written during a lecture, meeting, or reading. This includes
important information that are being presented, such as:

important facts
ideas
details

Cues Section:

A smaller column on the left-hand side of the page is reserved for
things that help trigger memory of the detailed notes, such as:

keywords
questions
relevant topics

These cues are typically added after the main notes are taken, during a review process.

Summary Section:

At the bottom of the page, a space is left for summarising the main points of the notes. This should be written in the review process after the notes are taken and helps solidify the key takeaways in a concise format.

Summary of main points

This system allows for better recall and understanding by focusing on key ideas, organising information in a logical way. It’s also easy for review.

How to Implement the Cornell Method

Despite being first created almost a century ago, the concept is still relevant to today’s learning practices. To effectively use the Cornell Method, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Paper Begin by dividing your paper into three sections. The right-hand side (about 70% of the page) is the main notes section. The left-hand side (around 30%) is reserved for cues, and the bottom 2-3 inches of the page is left for a summary.
Step 2: Take Notes As you listen to a lecture, attend a meeting, or read material, jot down detailed notes in the main notes section. Write down key points, ideas, concepts, and supporting details. Use abbreviations or bullet points to keep it concise but comprehensive.
Step 3: Add Cues After the class or meeting is over, review your notes and write down questions, keywords, or prompts in the cues section. These should correspond to the notes in the main section, helping you review the material and recall specific points.
Step 4: Summarise In the summary section at the bottom, write a brief summary of the entire page of notes. This step helps consolidate your understanding of the material and reinforces key ideas in a condensed format.
Step 5: Review Regularly Go over your cues and summary regularly, using the questions or prompts in the cues section to test your recall of the detailed notes.

Active Learning

The Cornell Method has a range of benefits. Apart from improving your organisation skills and learning skills, you become an active learner.

Learning is not about passive listening and copying the whole information presented to you onto the notebook (if that’s really possible). By summarising and adding cues after the note-taking process, you’re forced to focus on the most important points.

When you learn to prioritise the information that is the most critical for understanding, you engage in active learning. This later helps reinforce understanding and retention of the material.

Applications of the Cornell Method in Other Fields

While the Cornell Method is often associated with students and education, its applications extend well beyond the classroom. Here are some ideas for you:

Business and Professional Meetings: In business, during meetings, conferences, or presentations, the cues section can be used to highlight key action items or decisions, while the summary section helps provide a quick reference of important takeaways.
Project Management: For project managers and team leaders, during team meetings or planning sessions, the cues section can focus on project goals, milestones, or challenges, while the summary serves as a reminder of the next steps.
Personal Growth and Goal Setting: For a person seeking personal development, the notes can be used to organise thoughts during seminars, self-help readings, or coaching sessions. The cues can serve as reminders for self-reflection, and the summary can highlight the main lessons learned.

So…

If you’re looking for a powerful, versatile tool for improving learning and retention, the Cornell Method of note-taking is a good option.

Its structured layout and emphasis on active engagement with material make it great for not only students and professionals, but also anyone looking to better organise their thoughts and improve memory.

I’ve also used it as part of my personal development journey, and it’s been incredibly useful. Give it a try – you might discover a new favourite way to learn!

DeepGamma.