Cornell note-taking technique: What it is, and how to do it

Taking useful notes during lectures can be a great starting point for revision, assignments and dissertations. But knowing how to take useful notes when so much information is being put to you can be a problem. 

Enter the Cornell note taking technique. 

This honed, repeatable system gives you a simple layout and built-in process for what to do during and after a lesson or lecture. 

But what exactly is it? And how do you do it? Here we share what the Cornell note taking technique is, where it came from and why it’s still used by students all over the world. 

What is the Cornell note taking technique? 

Walter Pauk, a professor of education at Cornell University, created it in the 1950s, he introduced it to help students organise their notes and use them as an effective study tool. He later published the method in his book How to Study in College. 

The Cornell method has been widely used since because it’s simple, flexible and easily taught. 

How the Cornell note-taking page is laid out 

The Cornell system is just a particular way of dividing up a page. With it you create three main sections that each have a different job: 

  • Cue/question column (left) 

A narrow column down the left-hand side of the page. This is where you later add key words, questions or prompts that relate to your main notes. 

  • Main notes area (right)

A larger column on the right. This is where you write your notes during a lesson or while reading, things like key ideas, explanations, examples and diagrams. 

  • Summary section (bottom) 

A small space across the bottom of the page. After the lesson, you use this to write a brief summary of what was covered on that page. 

Why the Cornell method works 

From passive to active learning 

One of the biggest advantages of the Cornell note-taking technique is that it pushes you to actively engage with what you’re learning instead of copying information word for word. During the lesson, you jot down the main points in the right-hand column. Afterwards, you back and turn those points into short prompts and questions in the cue column, and then into a short summary at the bottom. 

The process of recording, condensing, questioning and summarising, forces you to think about what really matters, how ideas link together, and how you’d explain them in your own words. 

Built-in revision and self-testing 

Cornell notes are designed with revision in mind. When it’s time to prepare for an exam or assignment, you don’t need to rewrite everything. Instead, you can: 

  • Cover the main notes on the right. 
  • Use the cue column on the left to quiz yourself: answer the questions, define the key terms or recall the examples from memory. 
  • Glance down at the summary to remind yourself what the page is about and how it fits in the bigger topic. 

Self testing can help to strengthen your memory. Rather than re-reading pages of text, you’re actively pulling information out of your brain, checking it and filling in any gaps. 

Fits around flexible study

For distance learners, the structure of the Cornell method is particularly helpful. You can: 

  • Pause a video or webinar while you jot down key ideas in the main notes area. 
  • Re-watch tricking sections and add extra cues or questions in the left column. 
  • Use the summary space to record what you’ve learnt before before you move on to the next module. 

How to use the Cornell note taking technique 

The Cornell method is not just about how you divide the page, but how you use each section at different stages of learning. Here’s a quick guide: 

Step 1: Record 

Whilst you’re listening to a lecture, watching a video, or reading a textbook, use the main notes area on the right hand side to capture the key ideas. Write down: 

  • Headings and subheadings that show how the topic is structured 
  • Key concepts, definitions, and short explanations 
  • Examples, diagrams or formulas that illustrate the point 
  • Don’t write everything word-for-word. Focus on what’s most important. 

Step 2: Reduce 

Within 24 hours return to your notes while the material is still fresh. Look over what you have written in the main notes area and condense it into keywords, short prompts, or questions in the cue column on the left. 

This step helps you process the information and get ready for self-testing later. 

Step 3: Recite 

Cover the main notes on the right hand side and use the cues and questions on the left to test yourself. Try to answer aloud or write your responses from memory. 

If you can explain it clearly, you know you’ve understood it. If not, revisit your notes and fill in any gaps. This step turns your notes into an active recall exercise, one of the best ways to strengthen your memory. 

Step 4: Reflect

Jot down a few quick reflections at the bottom of the page or in the margin. Ask yourself: 

  • How does this connect to what I already know? 
  • Where might this appear in an exam or assignment? 
  • Why is this idea important in this subject?  

Reflecting helps you see the bigger picture and apply your learning rather than just memorising facts. 

Step 5: Review

Make it a habit to review your notes regularly. Use your cues to quiz yourself, revisit summaries, and spot patterns across topics. Over time they’ll become your ready-made revision sheets, which all helps when it comes to preparing for assignments and exams. 

Try the Cornell note taking method this week 

Using the Cornell note taking technique is more than just a way to organise your notes, it helps turn them into active learning experiences. With these notes you not only record what you learn, but understand it and remember it more effectively. 

Cornell notes can help you stay organised, whether you’re studying psychology, bookkeeping or health and social care. 

Try using the Cornell layout in your next Distance Learning Centre module and see how much more connected and in control you feel of your studies.