At university, you are your own boss - you regulate study and social time, decide when and where to work, and set your own priorities. Preparing for Tests and Examinations Tests and examinations are a primary cause of stress for first-year students. Professors expect you to be prepared to answer questions based on your critical analysis of information in the course. This is why it is so important to learn exam-writing strategies. It is often difficult to keep up with an instructor while taking notes during the lecture.
Some instructors speak very quickly and some are less clear than others in their presentation style.
Note-taking can be a frustrating exercise if you don't have a system that's easy for you to use and understand. This will not only help you identify the important concepts during the lecture, but will also help you remember them when it comes to exam time. You're not alone. Most students have trouble concentrating while studying. This can lead to unnecessary or unproductive study hours, anxiety and sleep deprivation.