1.        ATTEND LECTURES FAITHFULLY.    

The lecture is the backbone of many courses, and a complete set of notes is usually crucial.

2.        KEEP NOTES FOR EACH COURSE In a designated notebook or file.

Using a separate notebook, sectioned notebook, or file folder will keep your notes organized and readily accessible.

3.        TAKE NOTES ON ONE SIDE OF THE PAGE ONLY.

Single-sided pages may be laid side by side while studying to see the pattern of the lecture.           

4.        USE A LOOSE-LEAF NOTEBOOK rather than a binder.

Pages may be easily added, removed, or rearranged as needed.

5.        RECORD THE NAME OF THE COURSE, THE DATE, and the page number on each page.

As a safeguard against the loss or mixup of notes, identify individual pages as “1 of 4,” “2 of 4,” etc. so you know the total number of note pages recorded for each lecture.

6.       Use A STANDARD SIZE SHEET of paper to give yourself plenty of room.

A full sheet of paper will allow room for indenting to show subtopics and supporting 
      details.

7.        do not doodle.

Manual activity of this kind inhibits note taking, interferes with personal concentration, and breaks eye-contact with the lecturer, whose gestures and facial expressions give important clues for understanding and remembering material.

8.       make your notes complete and clear.

You do not need to write in full sentences, since note-taking is a process of selection, condensation, and compression; however, include enough explanation so you will still understand the meaning weeks and months later.

9.       write legibly.

Later when you review, legible handwriting will let you concentrate on ideas and facts rather than on deciphering your notes.

10.    use a pen with blue or black ink.

Pencil can smudge and fade over time.

11.     leave blanks for works, phrases, or ideas you may add later.

Directly after the lecture, ask the instructor or a fellow student to help you fill in the gaps.

12.     adapt a system of note taking that best suits your needs.

An outline form works well for the organized lecture; short paragraph in phrases may work better for lecturers who skip around. Be sure to leave space between paragraphs.

13.     develop abbreviations of common words and recurring terms.

See "Shorthand Hints" handout for examples of common abbreviations.

14.     use symbols to draw attention to main ideas.

Asterisks, stars, circles, and arrows are useful symbols that can visually connect key pieces of information.

15.     highlight assignment information, references to books, or other resources that are included in the lecture.

These will be valuable guides to further reading and assignment completion.

16.    separate your own thoughts from the lecturer's.

Jot down questions, your own examples, ideas and references; however, make sure you bracket or otherwise label these as yours, not the lecturer's.

17.     always record the lecturer’s examples.

Examples often clarify abstract ideas. Indicate the fact that they are examples.

18.    be alert for connecting or transitioning phrases.

"You'll see this later," "This is important," "This is a common pitfall," "these four steps," "finally," "therefore," etc, are important sequencing cues that can help you identify main ideas and prioritize the information in your notes.

19.    PAY CLOSE attention to the end of a lecture.

Lecturers may cram half the content into the last five or ten minutes.

20.    record additional ideas of your own immediately after the lecture.

Recording your own thoughts immediately after the lecture will maximize your learning experience.

21.     review your notes as soon as possible after the lecture. 

A quick read of your notes will allow you to correct any mis-writing and fill in gaps while the information is still fresh in your mind.