how do YOU take notes?

Well, the classes I really need notes for have all had lectures on Power Point so far. So I print out the slides before class (four to a page) and take notes directly on them or cross out slides the professor skips over.

When the prof does not provide us with her powerpoints, I read the book ahead of time and take notes, then take notes in class on everything she says. After class on the same day I combine my notes with professor's notes and somehow it ends up working really well. lol.

I don't think cornell or mind maps work for taking notes IN class, but maybe for notes out of the book if you think they'll work for you. I never found either way very helpful though. In most classes, professors provide some kind of outline or powerpoints and I print them out and add to them as the prof lectures. Later at home, I review the notes and summarize them in my notebook, adding any clarification from the text.

I don't think cornell or mind maps work for taking notes IN class, but maybe for notes out of the book if you think they'll work for you. I never found either way very helpful though. In most classes, professors provide some kind of outline or powerpoints and I print them out and add to them as the prof lectures. Later at home, I review the notes and summarize them in my notebook, adding any clarification from the text.

you are prolly right

i was looking at it and thinking how would i do that and listen whilst someone talked too

I go along with the handout(s) that the teachers give us before class! They're fill in the blank and go right along with the Powepoint/lecture Yes I know I'm spoiled!

I read and create my notes before class. During class, I highlight in my book what the instructor went over and then compare that to my notes. Then I type a new set of notes, based on the comparison. I am very repetitive with my notes...helps me retain the information. Sometimes I will just read and highlight before hand and then during class use a pencil to mark what the instructor touched on in class and then create a set of notes from that.

I'm trying out the Cornell method. You basically just leave room on the left and at the bottom of the page and then take notes as you normally would during class. Then (soon) after class go back over your notes clarifying things. After that make questions on the left side where you had left it blank about the key ideas. Summerize on the blank space at the bottom. It's more of a way of studying/reviewing your notes than really a different way to take them, but studies show it's effective.