note taking tips?

You could adopt a formal note-taking system, such as the "Cornell method" as described on this Wikipedia page.

But I don't think any single system works for everyone. It's best to develop a notetaking method that works for you.

Here's a few general guidelines and suggestions:

• Start each new lecture on a new page, and date and number each page. The sequence of material is important.
• Write on one side of the paper only. You can set them out side-by-side for easier reviewing when studying for an exam.
• Leave blank spaces. This allows you to add comments or note questions later.
• Make your notes as brief as possible. “Never use a sentence when you can use a phrase, or a phrase when you can use a word” (Berkeley).
• Develop a system of abbreviations and symbols you can use wherever possible.
• Note all unfamiliar vocabulary or concepts you don’t understand. This reminds you to look them up later.

A practice in note taking that works for me is the copy down the quiz questions with the correct answers to use as review. It's just something that works for me and lets me look back on the terms and material covered in the course.