How to Take Good Notes in Class (The Cornell Method)

Good notes make revision much easier. Many students write down everything the teacher says, or copy the board word for word, then can't make sense of their notes later. The Cornell method is a simple way to fix that.

How to set up the page

Divide your page into three parts:

1. A narrow left column (about one-third of the page): for questions and key words
2. A wide right column: for your main notes
3. A space at the bottom: for a short summary

During class

Write your notes in the right column.

• Write in short phrases, not full sentences.
• Use your own words where you can.
• Use bullet points, arrows and simple drawings.
• Write down examples the teacher works through.
• Leave space between ideas so you can add more later.

Don't try to write everything. Focus on main ideas, definitions, formulas and examples.

After class (within a day)

This is the step that makes the method work.

• In the left column, write questions or key words that match the notes beside them. For example, next to notes about photosynthesis, write "What is needed for photosynthesis?"
• At the bottom, write a two or three sentence summary of the whole page in your own words.

How to revise with your notes

1. Cover the right column.
2. Read the questions in the left column.
3. Try to answer them out loud or on paper.
4. Uncover the notes and check.

This turns your notes into a built-in quiz, which is one of the best ways to remember things.

Other note-taking tips

• Date and title every page, so notes are easy to find.
• Use colours carefully, for example one colour for definitions and one for examples. Too many colours become distracting.
• Fill gaps quickly. If you missed something, ask a classmate or your teacher the same day.
• Keep one notebook or folder per subject.

Digital notes

If you take notes on a laptop or tablet, the same layout works. Apps like OneNote, Google Docs or Notion let you set up a Cornell-style template once and reuse it.

Notes are only useful if you go back to them. A few minutes reviewing them each day beats hours of cramming before a test.