The Cornell Note-Taking System

Are your notes a messy wall of text? The Cornell Method organizes your page into three distinct sections to force your brain to summarize as you write.

1. The Setup

Draw a vertical line 2.5 inches from the left side of your paper. Draw a horizontal line 2 inches from the bottom.

2. The "Notes" Column (Right)

During class, write your notes here. Don't transcribe every word—use concise sentences and shorthand.

3. The "Cues" Column (Left)

After class, review your notes. In the left column, write key questions or keywords that trigger the memory of the details on the right.

4. The Summary (Bottom)

Write 2-3 sentences summarizing the entire page. If you can't summarize it, you don't understand it.