The famous, or rather infamous, method for some: Cornell notes. This structured note-taking system has been celebrated (fine, maybe more by teachers) and dreaded by students for decades. But what even are Cornell notes? Where do they come from? What is their purpose? Why does my teacher make me write using this method? 

To answer some of those questions, we must take a trip to the not-so-distant past and meet a man named Walter Pauk. Pauk was a professor at, you guessed it, Cornell University in the 1950s. The educational psychologist noticed that his students were struggling with note-taking, so he created a template for them to use in hopes that it would stimulate their brains and facilitate retention. Since then, the Cornell notes have spread worldwide and through different educational levels. But does this method still have the value it had before? Why?

Despite the method being around for around 70 years, it is still relevant today. Cornell claims the technique remains flexible and adaptable, making it as helpful today for online study and e-textbooks. And it isn’t just Cornell claiming that, in one particular study by the Department of Educational Foundations at the University of Jos, Nigeria, researchers compared the effectiveness of three different note-taking methods: Cornell note-taking, outline note-taking, and verbatim note-taking. In this study, researchers found that Cornell notes were the most effective strategy since they forced students to consider the information taught rather than just focus on copying it. 

Now that we’ve talked about the history of the Cornell method and why it works, let’s wrap up our deep dive by talking a little bit about what the technique’s format looks like.

1. Title of Your Notes
   1. At the top of the page, write the title of your notes. This could be the topic or subject you’re studying (e.g., “Photosynthesis,” “World War II,” “Math Chapter 5”).
2. Cue Column
   1. Left Side: Draw a vertical line about 2.5 inches from the left margin to create a narrow column.
   2. This cue column is where you will write:
      1. Key terms: Important vocabulary or concepts.
         Key questions: Questions you might ask to test your understanding or that the material answers.
         Main points: Brief reminders of the content you’re taking notes on.
3. Note-Taking Area (Right Side)
   1. Right Side: The larger area on the right is where you’ll take the detailed notes.
      1. Here, you will write down the complete information from lectures, readings, or videos more detailed.
      2. This is where you summarize concepts, write down examples, and capture critical ideas.
4. Summary Section (Bottom)
   1. At the bottom of the page, leave a space for a summary (around 2-3 inches).
   2. In this section, summarize what you’ve learned from the notes in your own words. Try to condense the key points and make sure you understand the material.

If you need a reference point, look at Cornell’s very own method on their site.

I hope this has helped you learn more about the Cornell method! Happy studying!