Scan the textbook or any provided reading material before a lecture begins in order to distinguish between major and minor points. This also allows you to know if your teacher, professor or whoever is giving the lecture is providing information that cannot be found in the text and needs to be written right away. Look up specific terms to save time from looking them up during the lecture.
Decide if you want to write in print or cursive. Choose a style that lets you write faster but induces less strain on your hand. According to the University of California Ergonomics Department, reduced finger motions reduce strain on the hand while writing. They also warn against bending you elbow too far inward and suggest maintaining an open angle of 90 degrees or more. Consider legibility to save yourself time in deciphering your own handwriting.
Determine a system for your notes. Underline or highlight main themes and use indentation to distinguish major from minor points. Dividing a page into themes and major and minor details also works. Another organizational system you can try is the Cornell method, which requires dividing notes into columns: one column contains the specific details while the other contains main themes. It also suggests a brief summary of the lecture at the end of your notes for more efficient reviewing later on.
Write in phrases if possible. Include important keywords and abbreviate words if possible. Facts enumerated by the lecturer should also be enumerated. Numbers are important details you need to include in your notes.
Use symbols such as arrows to refer back to an earlier note or asterisk to signify important terms. They save you time from writing out more words than you have to.
Write out formulas, definitions and specific facts. This is especially important for math formulas and scientific definitions.
Utilize the margin for comments and questions for clarifications later. These notes help you remember to ask for clarifications after a lecture, especially if your professor, for example, does not stop for questions during lectures.
Include illustrations and examples. Label illustrations roughly but correctly. Choose a basic example for each kind of concept and a moderately challenging one if you have time. These will help you recall how to apply concepts on problems.