One of the best sources for reviewing the material covered in class is your own notes. Therefore, they should be well-organized and contain as much information as possible. These tips will show you how to make your notes as effective as possible.

• Listen and think before you write down any information. This will allow you to take notes in your own words, proving that you have understood the information. Don't just copy what the instructor said and expect it to magically make sense later.
• Write the topic and date on each page of your lecture notes, and organize these accordingly. This will help you keep track of your notes for each course, especially if you miss a day, and it will make reviewing easier. Keep all of your notes for each class together in a binder or folder that is clearly marked.
• Save time by eliminating articles and using sentence fragments, abbreviations, symbols, and other shortcuts. Avoid word-for-word copying. This way you will be able to take notes faster, and they will be more concise.
• Indent to show subtopics and details, and leave a space to indicate a change of topic. Also, provide some space to insert information later.
• Leave blanks for words, phrases, or ideas you think you may have missed, and ask other students or your instructor after class about the missed information.
• Leave a margin, and use it for key words and questions that will help you review later.

Note: In addition to taking good notes, it is also important to review your notes on a regular basis, not just the night before quizzes and tests. This will help you learn the material more thoroughly, making reviewing for tests and quizzes ultimately much easier and more productive. You may want to review by going through your notes and highlighting important ideas, or you may want to review by putting important words, concepts, or theories from your notes on notecards and drilling yourself on them.