Take notes better than AI

Technology can do a lot. But it can’t do everything.

Especially when it comes to focus, recall, and understanding.

That’s why this note-taking method has stuck with Aftab from uni days to boardroom meetings — and it might just become your new secret weapon.

Why I Still Take Notes by Hand

Everyone’s moving fast. Tapping away. Recording. Summarising. Syncing to the cloud.

Me? I still show up to meetings with nothing but a notebook and a pen.

Sounds basic, but there’s power in simplicity. When you write by hand:

• You’re fully present.

• You’re not toggling tabs or distracted by pings.

• You listen better (and retain more).

And that’s not just opinion. It’s backed by research.

A 2014 study from Princeton and UCLA, published in Psychological Science, found that students who took notes by hand remembered significantly more than those who typed. The researchers, Mueller and Oppenheimer, discovered that handwriting forces you to process ideas more deeply. Laptop users tend to transcribe information verbatim, but handwritten notes require you to distil, reframe, and think.

In short: writing by hand makes you smarter.

The Cornell Method: Simple, But Genius

Forget chaotic pages. Cornell gives your thoughts a map.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Divide the Page

• Left margin: narrow column for questions, keywords, or themes

• Right section: wide area for main notes in bullet or numbered form

• Bottom strip: final 10% of the page for your summary — what really matters

Step 2: Use It Like a Pro

• Before the meeting: Jot down key points or questions in the left column

• During: Capture ideas and insights in the main note area

• After: Distil it all into a sharp summary at the bottom

That act of summarising? It’s where the gold is.
You’re not just capturing info. You’re processing it.

Why It Still Works (Better Than You’d Expect)

• It makes you think — you need to summarise as you can’t write as fast as someone speaks

• You walk away with simplicity, not just a transcript

• It’s fast. No app crashes, no tech barriers (except running out of ink 😛)

• It sticks. Because handwriting boosts memory and understanding
  

Whether it’s a high-stakes meeting or a quick coffee chat — this framework keeps me focused, prepared, and sharp.

Final Thought

AI can summarise or expand on what was said. But it can’t tell you why it mattered. That part is still on you.

So next time you walk into a meeting, try it: Just a pen, a page, and a little structure.

You’ll be surprised what your brain can do — when you give it the space to work.

Until next time,

Aftab Bismi
(LinkedIn, Instagram)