I've put a lot of effort into figuring out which way is the best to take notes. I think the key to notes is to understand that yes sometimes all you're doing is

I've put a lot of effort into figuring out which way is the best to take notes. I think the key to notes is to understand that yes sometimes all you're doing is copying everything they're saying, but you're effectively writing your own book on the subject to _maybe_ review in the future. The act of doing it is enough to help the overall goal: learn this material well. The notes don't need to be perfect. However, if they're good then they can act as a good way to catch up again on a topic and limit your need to re-learn from brand new source which you can then use to just fill the holes you left in your note taking (which if you take notes on those parts now you don't have those holes anymore). I have also finally accepted that digital forms do not work as well for reading or notes when learning new topics. Our brains and systems of learning simply operate better with pen/paper much to my extreme distaste. (I have a strong hatred of paper. Ever since I was younger.)