How to Make Cornell Notes with Notion: A Comprehensive Guide

Cornell Notes is a popular note-taking system that helps students organize and retain information effectively. With Notion's versatile features, you can easily implement the Cornell Notes method in a digital format. This guide will walk you through the process of creating Cornell Notes in Notion, along with some tips to maximize your note-taking efficiency.

What are Cornell Notes?

Cornell Notes is a note-taking system developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University in the 1950s. It consists of three main sections:

Main notes area
Cue column
Summary area

Example

If you’re studying World War II, the main notes area could list key events, dates, and concepts. The cue column might feature prompts like "Key Battles" or "Major Allied Powers,” and the summary area would include a concise recap of the core lessons learned.

How to Create Cornell Notes in Notion

1. Set up your Cornell Notes template

Create a new page in Notion
Use the / command to add a table with three columns
Name the columns: "Cues," "Notes," and "Summary"
Adjust the column widths: make the "Cues" column narrower and the "Notes" column wider

Example

If you’re taking notes on a biology class about Photosynthesis:

Label the first column “Key Terms” (e.g., light energy, chlorophyll).
Second column “Main Notes” (detailed explanations of the process).
Third column “Summary” (an overview of the entire lesson).

Please note that Notion's AI tools can also be used to create summaries.

2. Add content to your Cornell Notes

Use the "Notes" column to write your main notes during class or while studying
In the "Cues" column, add keywords, questions, or prompts related to the main notes
After completing your notes, write a brief summary in the "Summary" row at the bottom

Example

Cues: “Compare Allies vs. Axis,” “Key WWII figures,” “Causes of WWII”
Notes: Detailed bullet points on each cause, timeline of key battles, major outcomes
Summary: A concise recap of how international tensions led to WWII and the aftermath

3. Utilize Notion's features to enhance your Cornell Notes

Use different text styles (bold, italic, underline) to emphasize important points
Add checkboxes to create to-do lists for follow-up actions
Insert images, videos, or file attachments to supplement your notes
Use the @ mention feature to link to other Notion pages or team members

Example

Insert a diagram of the photosynthesis process or a map of Europe during WWII.
Tag classmates or group members for collaborative reviews.
Use checkboxes for tasks like “Review Chapter 5” or “Watch recommended documentary.”

4. Organize your Cornell Notes

Create a database to store all your Cornell Notes pages
Add properties like "Subject," "Date," and "Tags" to categorize your notes
Use different views (Table, Board, Calendar) to organize and access your notes easily

https://www.notion.com/help/guides/creating-a-database

Example

Create a database named “History Notes,” add a “Topic” property for “World War II,” and filter by upcoming exam dates. For science classes, have a “Biology Notes” database, tagging specific lectures.

5. Review and study with your Cornell Notes

Use the "Cues" column to test your recall of the main content
Regularly review the summaries to reinforce your understanding
Create a linked database view of your notes filtered by subject or upcoming exams

Example

Review the “Cues” column for WWII (e.g., “Causes,” “Dates,” “Treaty of Versailles”) to quiz yourself without looking at the “Notes” column. Then read the summary to solidify the topic in your memory.

Additional Tips for Using Cornell Notes in Notion

Use templates: Create a Cornell Notes template in Notion to quickly start new note pages with the correct layout.
Implement AI features: Utilize Notion AI to generate summaries or key insights from your notes automatically.
Collaborate with classmates: Share your Cornell Notes pages with study partners to collaborate and compare notes.
Link related content: Use Notion's relation property to connect your Cornell Notes to other relevant pages or databases in your workspace.
Create a study dashboard: Design a central hub that displays your recent Cornell Notes, upcoming exams, and study tasks.

Conclusion

By combining the structured approach of Cornell Notes with Notion's flexible and powerful features, you can create an efficient and effective note-taking system. This method not only helps you organize your notes but also enhances your ability to review and retain information. Experiment with different Notion features to customize your Cornell Notes experience and boost your academic performance.