1. Pre-read the material that will be covered in class. For concepts raised in the book that you don't understand, make a note to yourself and bring it up in class. Getting a feel for the topic will help you determine what parts you need to take notes on before the lecture begins.
2. Rather than writing down everything the professor says, why not highlight it as he goes along? Be judicious with highlighting as well because highlighting every line of every page won't help you study later. If you don't want to write in your books, pop a sticky note on points your professor raises.
3. Listening is as important as writing down everything your instructor says. Don't zone out - even when a chatty classmate raises points that you think are off topic.
4. Your instructor likely won't cover points that aren't important but still knowing what to write down and what to skip can be difficult to determine. If a topic warrants your instructor spending a lot of time discussing it, making an overhead or writing it on the board, chances are, you should be writing it down.
5. The way you take notes is an individual choice but here are a couple tips to consider. Start each days lecture with a blank page. Use a loose leaf, three ring binder for your notes - it makes it easier to move pages around and insert handouts. Come up with an abbreviation system that works for you. Paraphrase what the instructor says.
Most instructors will remind you before a test of what items will be covered, if they raise a topic you didn't take notes on - ask for clarification. And before your memory gets fuzzy, take time to re-read your notes and elaborate on topics you may have jotted down - it will help you later.
Robbi Hess is a staff writer for the American Educational Guidance Center. Her interests in higher education include online college programs for working adults, specialty colleges and universities and unusual scholarships.
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