In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: In order to take better notes, you need to be an “active listener.” This means that you don’t just record what is said. Instead, you should engage with the material and determine the essential elements of what is being said.  For instance, instead of spending time writing down every detail of Theodore Roosevelt's various foreign policy actions, strive to establish key concepts of his overall foreign policy and identify the examples as support.  This way, you have already begun the process of learning and understanding (or, in other words, studying). This necessity of active engagement is one reason why many experts advise against recording lectures.,  If you do insist on recording lectures, or have a legitimate need to do so. Ask the professor beforehand if it’s okay to record. The lecture is considered the professor’s intellectual property. In addition, some institutions have specific policies regarding recording. Don’t waste time easing your way into note-taking mode at the beginning of class.  Be ready to go from the very start.  Lectures often begin with an explicit preview of what will be covered, or at least implicit “leads” about what is to follow.  Listen carefully to the opening of the lecture for context clues that can help your organization and discernment of what will be most important. Don’t pay attention to students who arrive late or who are not yet ready to take notes. Every instructor organizes each lecture into some sort of outline, even if it's implicit and loosely followed. The information that is included on lecture slides will give you a solid idea of how to keep your notes organized. The lecturer will use vocal patterns, hand gestures and other indications to emphasize important parts of the lecture. Start observing these patterns and gestures in order to discern what is essential information..  Recognize main ideas by identifying signal words and phrases that indicate something important is to follow. Your instructor is not going to send up a rocket when she states an important new idea or gives an example. But she will use signals to convey what she is doing. Every good speaker does it, and you should expect to receive these signals. Examples include:  There are three reasons why... First... second... third... The significance of this is... The impact of this is... From this, we can see…   Learn to identify other clues as well.  When making a key point, the lecturer may speak more slowly or loudly; repeat a word or phrase; take a longer pause before resuming speaking (perhaps even to take a drink of water); gesture with his or her hands more demonstratively; stop walking around and / or look more intently into the audience; and so on. Shorthand writing is a way to use shortcuts so that you don’t have to write every single word. You can also write notes more quickly, an essential skill when listening to a classroom lecture. But when taking notes, don’t use true shorthand like a stenographer. This requires lengthy transcription. Instead, develop your own set of shortcuts, abbreviations, symbols, sketches, etc. Even if no one else knows what your shorthand means, you’ll know what you mean.  Use abbreviations and skip unimportant words to take notes efficiently. Only record the important words that you need to get the idea of the point made. Skip words like "the" and "a" that do not convey additional meaning to the lecture content. Create abbreviations to help you write things down quickly, such as drawing arrows for increase/decrease or to show causation, and especially for terms used over and over again (e.g., IR for international relations). Paraphrase everything except formulas and specific definitions or facts that will likely be required verbatim on the exam. Underline, circle, star, highlight, or otherwise identify key examples, definitions, or other important materials.  Devise your own marking code to indicate each type. Try drawing diagrams or pictures for concepts you can't quickly describe or immediately understand.  For instance, draw a pie chart to roughly indicate the relative strength of political parties in a particular election instead of writing these details out. Make sure your letters and words are adequately spaced and legible so that you can read them later.  Few things are more frustrating than being unable to read your own handwriting, especially when trying to study for a biology exam. Don’t try to cram as much as possible onto each sheet.  Give yourself lots of white space on your page. More spaced-out writing allows plenty of room for revision and annotation later. This style is also easier to read and digest the information when studying. It is easy to zone out as the clock ticks near the end of the class period. Other students may be starting to gather up their materials and whisper to their friends about the latest gossip.  However, the conclusion of the lecture is just as vital as the introduction in laying out the big picture and key themes and concepts. If there is a summary at the end of the lecture, pay close attention to it. You can use it to check the organization of your notes. If your notes seem disorganized, copy down the main points that are covered in the summary. It will help in revising your notes later. During lecture, as well as at the end of the lecture, make sure to ask questions about points that you don’t understand.  When other students ask questions, write down the questions and the instructor's answers.  This additional information might answer questions you have as well.  If you are self-conscious about holding up the class by asking a question (and annoying the students who already have one foot out the door), ask your professor after class. You’ll likely find other students doing the same, and can listen in on their questions as well. You can also bring a list of questions to your professor’s office hours.
Summary: Remember to take notes instead of transcribing the lecture. Listen carefully to the introduction of the lecture. Copy down what is written on the board. Learn to pick up on the lecturer’s cues and clues. Make up your own shorthand method. Write legibly. Leave space to work with later. Pay attention at the end of the lecture. Ask questions.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: In order to reach the lock slider for push or pull locks, you will need to straighten the hanger out, then bend it again in the right manner to reach the it. Depending on your vehicle, this may require a number of bends or few at all.  You may need to guess and check the proper bends in the coat hanger a few times in order to get it right. Try not to bend the hanger too far, as bends will reduce its ability to press or pull directly on the slider. If you need to pull the slider to unlock it in your vehicle, you will want to bend the end of the hanger into a hook that can snag the ledge on it.  If you need to push it, it’s more important that you bend the tip in such a manner that can put the force necessary on the slider to push it over.  Use a pair of pliers to make a small, strong hook or ledge. If you are sliding the hanger in the gap in the door frame instead of a window gap, it will need to be very thin. If you are unable to pry the window away from the door frame, you will need to instead slide the hanger through the very narrow gap between the door itself and the frame.  The door and door frame are separated by a thin layer of weather proofing that you may damage in the process.  Press the hanger through the weather proof layer and into the car.  Some vehicles will not permit the hanger to pass through because of the angle.  You will then have to find a way to pry the window away from the door. If you tear the weather proofing, you will need to replace it or the door may leak. Once the tip of the hanger is inside the cabin of the car, you may not be able to see the slide for the door lock from your position.  Ask a friend to stand on the passenger side of the car and guide you by looking through the window.  You can still find the lock without a second pair of eyes, but enlisting some help will make the process far easier. Be patient and continue trying until you are able to snag or press the slide. Once you get the hanger on the slide, push or pull it as necessary to unlock the door.  This may take a number of tries and you also may need to make changes to the bends in the coat hanger in order to get to the slide from the right angle.  Be patient and continue trying until you are able to snag or press the slide. Be careful not to do further damage to the weather proofing as you move the hanger around.
Summary:
Straighten out the hanger and bend it again as necessary. Bend the hook into a short hook or ledge to push or pull the slide. Slide the hanger between the door and door frame. Have a friend guide you from the passenger side. Press or pull on the slide to unlock the door.