I didn't learn how to take good notes until I was well into my college career, and my grades suffered for it. I wish I had figured it out much earlier. - Take

I didn't learn how to take good notes until I was well into my college career, and my grades suffered for it. I wish I had figured it out much earlier. - Take notes by hand, no matter the subject. Honestly, keep the laptop/phone/tablet away if possible. The temptation to use it for things other than notes is far too high. It's better to feel bored in class taking handwritten notes than to waste that time on an electronic device. I look back and cringe at all of the hours (and money!) I wasted being "present" in class but not really paying attention. - Keep up with the lecture. Don't get bogged down in the details. If you want clarification on something, make a mark in the margin of the page to review it later. - Use symbols to help your speed and clarity. You'll develop your own system over time. - Actually re-read your notes. If you want typed notes, now is the time you can take your handwriting and type it up. Expand on things that you originally did not understand or did not document thoroughly. - You should spend about as much time reviewing notes as you did originally taking them. More if there is stuff you don't understand.