Note taking is very important for several reasons:

1. It focuses your mind on aspects that you will later forget; very few people have a photographic memory.
2. It helps you think and makes sense of what has been said or written
3. It makes things a lot clearer.
4. It helps you memorise material at a later date by reading your notes repeatedly.
5. When you get worried about things you don't know about, you can go back to your notes.
6. You can use your notes to help you prepare essays, projects etc.

Generally

• Notes are taken to summarise important points.
• They are not meant to take down every word that is spoken, only things that are relevant. That is dictation.
• Do not take notes down just to fill the page.
• Only take down high quality content, important points and specifics (dates or a quote etc.)
• You could write down good arguments for and against something, which could help you at a later date.
• With your parents permission you could use pens or markers on textbooks to highlight certain points and chapters.