Arrive on time before the professor has begun the lecture, if possible. Showing up to class five to 10 minutes early is ideal. This will assure you have time to prepare your note-taking materials and can review assigned reading if needed. If you prefer to use a pencil, have two of them in case one needs to be sharpened or breaks. Taking the time to sharpen your pencil may cause you to miss some of the information you should be writing down.
Instructors will most likely speak faster than you can write, so don't focus on writing everything they speak. Write down the main points. Use shorthand, abbreviations and symbols to keep up and save space. An instructor often lets you know if what they are saying should be written in your notes. If an instructor writes something on the board, repeats something, pauses or introduces an idea with a phrase such as "keep in mind" or "you should note that," they are trying to let you know that what they are saying should be recorded in your notes.
Notes should be legible and clear, so organize your notes well. Include a heading at the top including the date and the section you are working on in class that day. Underline key words and points. Leave space between one section of information and the next; this will give you room to add to your notes while you review them. Leave the margins of the paper clean as well as a section at the bottom of each page. These spaces will come in handy when you are reviewing and need to write explanations or questions.
Notes should be reviewed often to keep the information fresh in your memory. Review the notes after class, at the end of the week and before tests. If you feel it is needed, review previous notes before each class. Use text books to add any more information you find pertinent.