How to use Cornell notes: layout and review loop
Three zones: notes on the right (about 60% width), cues on the left (20%), summary across the bottom (20% height). Write only on the right; the other two are for review.
The layout
Leave a narrow column on the left (about 5cm) for cues, keep the right side for notes, and reserve 5–7cm across the bottom for a summary.
Roughly 2:6:2. Too wide a cue column squeezes the notes; too narrow and keywords will not fit.
Taking the notes
During class or reading, write only on the right: key points, examples, formulas. Do not reorganise as you go — you will miss what comes next.
Reviewing
Later the same day, write keywords and likely questions on the left, cover the right side and recall from the cues alone.
Summarise the page in one or two sentences at the bottom. If you cannot, you did not understand it yet.
