Note Taking

Finish reading before taking notes. Read small sections at a time, and pull out the main ideas.
Be selective about what you write down. Write down only the main concepts and important details. Recall what the instructor emphasized in class.
Write things in your own words. Putting things in your own words will help when you need to recall the information later, say for a test.
Read, think, write, and move on. Taking notes does not need to take all day.

Before you get to class, develop a mindset geared toward listening.
Try to determine the structure of the information being given in the lecture.
Pay attention to the lecturer’s verbal and visual cues to help establish which points he/she is trying to emphasize.
Ask questions and be engaged.
Use textbooks or other class materials to fill in missing details or for clarification.
Review, review, review. Daily or weekly review of notes is essential in a study routine.