What is the Cornell note-taking method, and why does it work when it does?

Split the page into a narrow left "cue" column, a wide right "notes" column, and a bottom "summary" — it works because it bakes in retrieval and summarisation.

In class, notes go in the wide right column. Afterward, you write questions and keywords in the narrow left cue column and a short summary at the bottom. To review, you cover the notes and answer the cues — turning your own page into a self-test.

Strength rating: moderate. Direct controlled evidence for Cornell as a system is modest. It earns its keep because it operationalises retrieval practice (the cue-and-cover review) and elaboration (writing the summary). It's a delivery vehicle for techniques that are well supported — that's the real reason it helps.