How to Take Better Notes: Cornell, Outline and Mind-Map Methods Compared

Good notes do two jobs: they help you process information while you listen or read, and they become the material you study from later. Different methods suit different subjects and different people. Here are three of the most useful, with guidance on when to use each.

The Cornell method

Developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University, this method divides a page into three areas:

• Notes column (right, about two-thirds of the width): what you write during the lesson or reading.
• Cue column (left, about one-third): after the lesson, write questions and keywords that prompt the notes beside them.
• Summary (bottom strip): two or three sentences summarising the page in your own words.

Best for: lectures and textbook chapters where you will need to revise for an exam. The cue column turns your notes into a ready-made active recall quiz: cover the right side and answer the questions on the left.

The outline method

Outlining organises information in a hierarchy using headings, subpoints and indentation:

• Main topic
  • Key idea
    • Supporting detail or example

Best for: well-structured lectures and subjects with clear categories, such as history, law and biology. Outlines are fast to write, especially on a laptop, and easy to scan.

Watch out for: fast or disorganised lectures, where it is hard to know in the moment which level a point belongs to. Tidy the structure afterwards.

The mind-map method

A mind map places the central topic in the middle of a page with branches for related ideas, sub-branches for details, and lines connecting related concepts across branches.

Best for: seeing relationships, brainstorming, summarising a whole unit on one page, and visual learners. Mind maps are excellent revision summaries.

Watch out for: detailed technical material and step-by-step procedures, which do not fit easily into branches.

Which method to choose

Many people combine methods: outline during the lecture, add Cornell-style questions afterwards, and draw a mind map at the end of the unit.

Handwriting or typing?

Typing is faster and easier to search, which tempts people to transcribe word for word. Handwriting is slower, which forces you to choose and paraphrase, and processing information in your own words helps understanding. A reasonable rule: if you tend to transcribe when typing, try handwriting for lectures; if you need searchable records, type but deliberately summarise rather than copying.

Notes are only half the work

1. Review within 24 hours. Fill gaps, add questions and write the summary while it is fresh.
2. Turn notes into questions. Questions are what you will practise with.
3. Explain the hardest page simply. The Feynman technique shows how.
4. Revisit on a schedule rather than only before the exam.