In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Some students try to write down everything the teacher says, but that's far too much work. In some cases, it might even makes it harder to figure out what's actually important enough to be on a test because you just have too much written down. Furthermore, people get so busy trying to write quickly that you don't focus on the lecture. You'll end up with bloated, messy notes that you don't understand because you weren't paying the right kind of attention to the class discussion. It's easier and more effective to listen to a lecture than it is to transcribe it. Sit back, listen, and write down only the information you think will be on the test. If the teacher writes something on the board, they're trying to draw your attention to it for a reason. Write it down. It doesn't require any more effort than taking sloppy, disorganized notes, but writing down your class notes as an outline will show you the connection between ideas later, when you have to go back to your notes and study for a test. Use a clear hierarchy of indentations so you can easily tell the difference between major points and minor/supporting details. You can disregard some of the supporting details when studying for a test. If your teacher took the time to create a handout to go along with a lesson, there's a good chance that the information on it is what your teacher considers to be the most important material from the lecture. There's a better chance of this information being on a test, so focus on the handouts instead of trying to take notes on an entire lecture. Store handouts neatly in folders or three ring-binders Use one folder per class; if you mix up your class materials, you'll create more work later when you need to study. Every teacher will have their own little quirks. At the beginning of the year, spend some time asking students who've had your teachers before what you should expect from them. Observe your teachers closely for the first couple of weeks to figure out how what makes them tick. The better you know your teachers, the more easily you can give them exactly what they want without having to run yourself ragged. Do any of your teachers go off on long, unrelated tangents on material that won't be on the test? Feel free to zone out on unimportant information. Get to know their speaking styles. Some people use vocal emphasis to draw attention to important information that will be on tests, whereas others might use exaggerated hand gestures to highlight information. How do your teachers grade homework and classwork? Some might assign point or letter grades to small daily assignments, but if everyone just receives a check mark for completion, then you don't have to work hard to earn your daily credit. Especially if your teacher gives equal credit for everyone who completed the homework assignment, don't put more effort than you need to into completing your homework. Often, teachers will go over the answers to the homework in class the next day, and you will get answers to questions that might end up on tests without having to comb through a whole textbook to find them. Use your discretion about whether or not this step will work for your individual teachers. Some teachers don't go over homework and readings the next day; in those classes, it might be worth it to spend time on your homework.
Summary: Take notes efficiently, not thoroughly. Use an outline format for your notes. Save class handouts. Learn your teacher's teaching style early. Let the teacher explain homework in class.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Before making a large purchase, you want to research what you're buying to figure out if it's worth it to you. Comparing different cell phones, car brands, or designer watches may change your mind about what you're buying. Do your research before making your big buy. You'll want an accurate record of your purchase in the event that you need to replace or return it. This is especially true if you're paying with cash, since you'll have no way to prove what you bought without a receipt. Store your receipt somewhere safe and hold on to it. You never know when you'll need it. This is particularly important if you purchased something that has a warranty. You'll need to be able to prove when you bought your item in order to get it replaced. After you've made your big purchase, think about what you would do differently the next time. Whether or not you stayed within your budget, paid back your loan, or consistently met your savings goals are important questions to ask. Figuring out what went well and what you could improve upon will help you out the next time you want to buy something expensive. Think about how your purchase feels. If you're content, good. But if you feel guilty or bad about what you bought, try to figure out why. This will keep you from making questionable purchases in the future.
Summary: Compare the prospective purchase to other brands or versions of the same item. Keep the receipt in case something is wrong with your purchase. Evaluate the entire process for future purchases.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Use a wire comb or a toothbrush to try to get rid of any dirt, food, and other crud on the dog toy. A wire comb is good for getting this type of debris out of dog toys that have fake fur on them. The washing machine is probably the best way to clean a soft dog toy. Check the tags on stuffed animals to ensure they can be put in the washing machine. Wash them on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent or no detergent at all. Once the washing machine has finished you can run the toys through the dryer on low heat for about 30 minutes. You also could allow them to air dry. It's okay to throw tennis balls in the wash. Keep in mind that new tennis balls actually aren't good for dogs, so throw the ball in the dirt a few times before giving it back to your dog. That way the chemicals from the packaging won't irritate their throat. Try to remove as much excess crud as possible before you put the toy in the microwave. The heat from the microwave will do the rest to kill the bacteria and germs on the toy. Make sure you start by soaking the toys in water, ringing them out, and then placing them in the microwave. Run the microwave for 1 minute, keeping an eye on the toys while they heat. Be careful removing toys from the microwave, as they might be hot. Do not microwave a toy if it has any metal on it. Microwaving is a great idea for rope toys. Although it isn't a good idea to put stuffed animal toys or anything with plastic inside of it in the dishwasher, rope toys are fine. If you don't have a microwave and you want to clean a rope toy you can easily throw it in a dishwasher with no detergent. The more often you clean the toy the better condition it will stay in. If you want to use the toy for longer, take good care of it. You could kill your animal this way and it isn't worth the risk. The ASPCA says that using watered down bleach on non-porous toys is alright, but you should just stick with another cleaning solution that won't endanger your dog.
Summary:
Clear off dirt and debris. Wash the toys in the washing machine. Microwave the soft and stuffed toys. Put dirty rope toys in the dishwasher. Clean frequently. Do not use bleach.