Avoid playing games or opening programs that will distract you from the class material you should be studying. If you can't resist the temptation, uninstall distracting programs from the laptop.
Write down the major points that your professor makes during lectures and other presentations. Take copious notes on your laptop; focus on getting the facts right rather than worrying about grammar or spelling. You can edit the content later to make your notes easier to follow. If you type faster than you write, using a laptop will allow you to keep more comprehensive notes than you could with pen and paper.
Turn off instant messaging programs and close your social networking windows. A professor at St. John's University conducted a study on how many students were using computers for purposes other than taking notes and other class-related activities. As many as half of the students surveyed were using laptops for unrelated activities, and the number was higher among older students. Avoid slipping into these bad habits and stay focused on the instructor rather than the potential diversions offered by your laptop.
Connect to a Wi-Fi network and utilize the Internet to look up information on the curriculum you are studying during lulls in the class and while you are on break. Use the computer to support and supplement your learning rather than detract from it.
Organize your notes with your laptop. Create a file structure that makes sense to you and allows you to date and save everything in an organized manner. When you study, find specific items of information quickly and make sure you've covered all the relevant material by going over your well-organized electronic notes.