• Complete assignments before class; bring all your materials; get to class early enough to look over your previous notes; these things will help you know what is important to record!
  • Force yourself to concentrate when your mind wanders.
  • Watch for clues: repetition of words or topics, anything written on the board, handouts with key phrases or terms.
  • During a lecture, just write down the main ideas and keypoints and use abbreviations.
  • After the lecture, go back through your notes and rewrite them with as much detail as possible.
  • If you do not wish to rewrite your notes, try to leave spaces for details and write legibly, using key phrases, not whole sentences.
  • Develop a system of "highlighting," using underlining, checkmarks or indentations to signify important areas.
  • Make sure you seperate your own thoughts from the lecture's. If you are unsure of your understanding, make a note to ask the instructor for clarification.
  • Always record examples the instructor gives - these will often clarify an abstract idea, or it may show up on a test!
  • Try to get to know someone in your class, just in case you need notes, or want to study with someone!
  • If you are having difficulty keeping up with the instructor, ask the instructor for permission to record the lecture and review it later.