10 Tips from the London School of Economics on Taking Notes During Lectures

1. Don't aim to write everything down: Focus on capturing key points, arguments, and themes. Lectures aren't dictation exercises.

2. Pay attention and engage actively: It's easy to get distracted. Stay alert, listen attentively to examples, and try to follow the lecturer's train of thought.

3. Use abbreviations and symbols: Develop a system of abbreviations and symbols to speed up your note-taking.

4. Structure your notes: Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and numbering to organize your notes and make them easy to review.

5. Underline, highlight, and capitalize: Mark emphasized terms or ideas to make them stand out in your notes.

6. Find a comfortable spot: Choose a seat that allows you to focus and feel engaged in the lecture.

7. Ask questions when confused: Don't hesitate to ask for clarification if you don't understand something.

8. Review and revise your notes: Go over your notes soon after the lecture to fill in any gaps and reinforce your understanding.

9. Connect with the material: Relate the lecture content to your existing knowledge and try to form your own opinions.

10. Consider different note-taking methods: Experiment with different methods like linear notes, mind maps, or the Cornell method to find what works best for you.