Learn the Art of Making Your Own Notes

After reaching the big classes, when the professor takes the lecture, he does not get all the things written by speaking, but you have to understand yourself and write in your own style.  For this, you have to be attentive, so that you can immediately note down every important thing.  As for taking notes while sitting in class, it is not necessary to note down every word and every line spoken by the professor.  Always pay attention to how your professor is giving lectures, that is, what he is saying with great emphasis.  He places more emphasis on some things and less on some.  So keep on writing notes like this.

Many times it happens that the student sitting next to you is noticing everything at once.  In the same tune you also start noticing.  But it is not necessary that you do anything by looking at him.  Trust your brain, listen to it and decide accordingly what notes you will make.  That way when you read them you will understand everything.  While taking notes, note down the day, date and name of the instructor together.  If possible, write the name of the book, chapter or page number as well.  This will allow you to quickly find the topic by reference when you need it while repeating.

If the lecture is going on in the class on any theoretical subject, then try to read the material being taught in advance.  With this, you will already be aware of the important points to note.  With such regular practice, you will be able to understand what is actually worth reading and which is worth skipping while reading from the instructor in class.

Go home and take a look at the notes you make on a daily basis, so that you know that what you write is to the point and understandable.

At the time of lecture, many times it happens that you do not know the meaning of many words.  When you come across such a word, note down that word and underline it.  Afterwards find its meaning and write it in front of it.

It is possible that you could not note down everything in detail during the lecture.  In such a situation, either after noting some of the initial things, leave the space blank and start noting the next one or note down the important words which are also called keywords.  For example, if the reasons for the Second World War are being discussed, then you should note those reasons, study the details of the reasons later.