Notes, notes, notes – sometimes it feels like all we’re doing is creating notes to explain another set of notes. If you’re like me, you’ve spent hours writing down notes to help future you, only to look back and see a blotch of digital ink with no clear start, middle, or end.
To combat the problem of unsightly notes, avid notetakers have developed different methods. Mind maps, charts, the sentence method… There are lots of options, but the Cornell method of note-taking stands the test of time.
In this guide, we’re exploring everything there is to know about the Cornell note-taking method, including the pros, cons, and how to customize it.
what is the cornell note-taking method?
Walter Pauk, a professor at Cornell, created the Cornell Method in the 1950s to help his students take effective, efficient notes.
Now, the simple, straightforward Cornell notes method is still used widely in academic settings. It’s even used further afield, with professionals and academics employing Pauk’s note-taking template to organize their thoughts.
cornell notes method and digital note-taking
Back in the 1950s, people only ever used pen and paper to apply the Cornell note-taking method. And when computers came about, not much changed. Old computers had limited technology and design capabilities, making it much easier to create Cornell templates by hand.
Now, notetakers have tablets. Plenty of people have ditched their notebooks for more streamlined, eco-friendly, and organized alternatives. iPads, Kindles, and HUAWEI tablets all come with note-taking capabilities.
If you prefer iPads, you’re in luck. We’ve written all sorts of articles about taking notes on iPads, from how to make handwriting better on iPads to the five best note-taking apps for iPads.
cornell notes method and kinetic learning
With your tablet and stylus in hand, you can reap all the benefits of the Cornell method and kinetic learning. Kinetic learning operates on one simple principle: it tells us that when we do something (in this case, writing) we’re more likely to remember the content.
You can leverage the power of kinetic learning via both traditional and digital-note taking, but in this article, we’re focusing on the digital realm. So, find a comfy spot, get your tablet at the ready, and prepare to revamp your notes.
how to use the cornell note-taking method
The simplicity of the Cornell notes method might explain its continued popularity. You don’t need any extra materials, just your tablet and stylus.
To take Cornell notes, you need to divide your page into four sections.
Here’s how to do it:
- Draw a horizontal line across the top of the page. This is your title section.
- Draw another horizontal line across the bottom of your page, about the width of five or six lines. This is your summary section.
- Between the horizontal lines on the left-hand side of the page, draw a vertical line. This is your keywords/questions section.
- The remaining space is your note-taking area.
There you have it; you’ve created a Cornell note-taking template! Now you can start taking organized notes.
example of the cornell note-taking method
Let’s say you’re at a lecture, listening intently to learn more. Here’s what you should do:
- Top section: Write the title and date.
- Largest section: Write anything that catches your attention, e.g. thoughts you want to explore, nuggets of knowledge, quotes.
- Left-hand section: Write questions you want to ask the lecturer, notes about things you’re unsure about and want to explore further, or write prompts that will remind you about key points.
- Bottom section: Write a brief summary of the lecture.
why is the cornell method of note-taking so effective?
The Cornell method of note-taking is still around for a reason – it’s massively effective, helping students, professors, and professionals from all over the world gather their thoughts.
Let’s look at the lecture example to see how you can use the Cornell note-taking method to cover all five R’s of note-taking.
- Record: Record the main messages and facts from the lecture in the note-taking section so you don’t miss anything important.
- Reduce: Summarize all the facts in the cue column to emphasize the relationship between key bits of information.
- Recite: Cover the note-taking section and recite facts from the lecture, then uncover your notes and see if you’re right.
- Reflect: Use your notes to explore more about the topic. You could take keywords from the left-hand section and use them as a jumping-off point to learn more.
- Review: Spend ten minutes per week reviewing your notes.
By the end of the five R’s, you should be able to recite key information from the lecture (as well as facts from your own research) without skipping a beat. The only caveat to this is that everyone learns differently. So if you’re a visual learner, you might want to draw diagrams and/or pictures instead.
advantages of cornell notes method
- Almost non-existent prep: You can create a Cornell note-taking template in just a few seconds.
- Encourages revision: If used correctly, the cue section acts as a baked-in revision resource.
- Enables quick recall: The organized style is appealing as it allows you to quickly organize and find information.
- Develops skills: The summary section encourages you to develop critical thinking skills you can carry over to papers and reports.
disadvantages of cornell notes method
- Poor resource for visual learners: If written notes do nothing but frustrate you, the Cornell method of note-taking might not be the best option. Instead, opt for a more visual learning method, like mind maps.
- Limited space: Separating the page into sections reduces your note-taking space and could disrupt the flow of your sentences.
customize the cornell note-taking method
The Cornell notes method might have been around for decades, but that doesn’t mean you can’t customize it to suit your preferences.
Here’s how you can make it your own:
- Color coding: By color coding your notes, you can add another layer of organization to them. And you might start to associate certain colors with specific topics, strengthening your recall.
- Mind maps: Add another section (or shorten one of your least favorite sections to make room for a mind map. Write “keywords”, “prompts”, or “questions” in the middle, and write everything you can remember. These sorts of quick associations are brilliant for revision.
- Visual elements: Even if you’re not entirely a visual learner, small pictures, graphs, symbols, and doodles can trigger you to remember important information.
There you have it, all our ideas on customizing the Cornell note-taking method. Remember, the sky really is the limit. Use Pauk’s method as a jumping-off point to create a note-taking template that plays to your strengths.
rock paper pencil: for a realistic pen-on-paper experience
If you want neater handwriting while taking Cornell notes on your iPad, Rock Paper Pencil is the perfect solution.
Rock Paper Pencil includes a reusable, paper-feel iPad screen protector and two ballpoint Apple Pencil tips. Built with nano-texture technology, Rock Paper Pencil adds subtle friction between your screen and Pencil, giving you more control and therefore better handwriting.
- Removable and Reusable: Rock Paper Pencil isn’t a one-trick pony. You can remove and reuse the screen protector as many times as you like, allowing you to switch between your iPad’s smooth screen and a paper-like screen within seconds.
- NanoCling Application: Our NanoCling technology is stronger than magnets, non-adhesive, and leaves no residue!
- Matte Texture: Subtle friction mimics the feel of paper (no more slippery glass!)
- Precision Apple Pencil Tips: Smoother, more controlled strokes
