What is the Cornell Notes System?
Cornell Notes is a note-taking method developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University. The page is divided into three sections: cues on the left, notes on the right, and a summary at the bottom.
How to Use
- During a lecture or reading, take notes in the right column.
- Afterwards, write cues (keywords or questions) in the left column.
- Cover the notes column and use the cues to recall the content.
- Write a brief summary at the bottom in your own words.
How It Works
Pauk designed Cornell Notes around active recall: the cues column forces you to retrieve information from memory rather than re-reading. The summary forces synthesis. Both are proven learning techniques.
Why It Works for Productivity
Standard notes are write-once, never-read-again. Cornell Notes turn notes into a study tool — the cues column enables self-testing, and the summary distills the whole page into one paragraph. Review is fast and effective.
Tips
Review cues weekly. Combine with the Feynman Technique — if a cue cannot be explained simply, you have a gap. Use for meetings, lectures, and books alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special paper?
No — this tool provides the layout digitally. On paper, draw a vertical line two-thirds from the left and a horizontal line near the bottom.
How long should the summary be?
Two to three sentences. If you cannot summarize, you have not yet understood the material.