You’ll have to figure out what works best for you because we all learn different – but here’s what works best for me (learned after years of University & post-grad classes and professional note-taking for my job):
1. I must get at least 8 hrs of sleep each night.
2. I type much faster than I can write, so when I’m trying to take in a LOT of information at a fast pace I type. I like to use Evernote because I can store my notes on the cloud (e.g. can use my iPad or Kindle in class/meeting to capture the notes, but later access the notes on my phone or PC).
3. If I want to RETAIN or study the information I’ve discovered that I best absorb info by physically writing the information down in my own words.
When I’m taking a class, if the professor allows recording I’ll record the lecture (sometimes work training is provided in a downloadable MP4 video—love it when this is possible) and later transcribe the key points BY HAND, in my own words.
I’ll frequently have to pause the lecture recording (because again, I can’t write fast enough sometimes)—but the process of re-stating what I’m hearing seems to really help me learn the material.
I do the same thing while reading any textbooks, too. I’ll make a rough outline of what I’ve read and transcribe the major points (by hand) and then I tend to absorb the material.