The Cornell Note-Taking Method is an effective way to organize and review notes. It consists of the following steps:

1. Set Up Your Page

  • Divide your paper into three sections:
    • Cue Column: A narrow left-hand column (about 2.5 inches) for key terms or questions.
    • Notes Column: A wider right-hand column (about 6 inches) for detailed notes.
    • Summary Section: A bottom section (about 2 inches) for summarizing the page.

2. Take Notes

  • During the lecture or reading, write concise, structured notes in the right-hand (Notes) column.
  • Use bullet points, short sentences, and diagrams where necessary.
  • Skip lines between ideas to keep notes organized.

3. Identify Key Points

  • After the lecture, review your notes and identify the most important concepts.
  • Write key terms, questions, or concepts in the left-hand (Cue) column.
  • These should help you recall details when reviewing later.

4. Summarize the Notes

  • At the bottom of the page, write a brief summary of the key ideas.
  • Summaries should be short (3-5 sentences) and capture the main points.

5. Review and Recite

  • Cover the Notes column and try to recall information using only the Cue column.
  • Recite the information aloud or rewrite it from memory.
  • Check your accuracy by uncovering your notes.

6. Reflect and Revise

  • Think about the significance of the material and how it connects to what you already know.
  • Add clarifications or additional notes if needed.

7. Regularly Review Your Notes

  • Frequently review your notes to reinforce learning and improve retention.
  • Use spaced repetition by revisiting notes over several days or weeks.