5 Steps to Improve Your Notes with the Cornell Method

The Cornell Note-Taking Method is an efficient way to organize and review notes. Follow these five steps to enhance your notes:

• 1. Divide Your Page Properly

  Use the standard Cornell Notes layout: Draw a vertical line about 2.5 inches from the left side to create the cue column. Leave about 2 inches at the bottom for the summary. The right side is your main note-taking area.

• 2. Take Effective Notes in the Right Column

  During a lecture or while studying, write down key points, important facts, and main ideas in the right-hand column. Use bullet points, short phrases, and avoid writing full sentences to keep it concise.

• 3. Write Cues & Questions in the Left Column

  After the lecture, review your notes and add cues or questions in the left column. These should summarize the main points and help with recall later.

• 4. Summarize the Key Takeaways

  At the bottom of the page, write a brief summary of the main ideas in your own words. This helps reinforce learning and makes review easier.

• 5. Review and Revise Regularly

  Consistently review your notes, cover the right-hand side, and test yourself using the questions in the left column. Revising your notes regularly improves retention and understanding.