Use the Cornell Method for Structured Note-Taking

Most notes are just transcription — you write down what you hear, and weeks later the page means nothing. The Cornell method forces you to think while you write. Divide your page into three sections: a narrow left column for cues and questions, a wide right column for notes, and a bottom strip for a summary. During the lecture, take notes on the right. Afterward, write questions on the left that your notes should answer.

This format does two things most note-taking systems don't. First, writing questions forces you to identify what's actually important — not just what was said. Second, the summary at the bottom gives you a built-in review system. You can cover the right column, read the questions on the left, and test yourself without making separate study materials.