Ask the instructor about the subject matter to be covered in class. Think about ways to divide the information into categories.
Draw a table with a column for each category of information. Place category names at the top of the vertical columns and, if appropriate, on the horizontal side of the columns.
Listen carefully to the lecture and write down important ideas in the appropriate columns of the table.
Review the categories and key points to see if they are clear. Make sure you will be able to understand the information at a later time, when preparing for a test or writing a paper.
Ask the teacher to clarify points that are unclear or to repeat something that was not recorded during the lecture.