>>1458030People taking notes say it helps them remember. If this doesn't work for you, then there is no point in taking notes. People are different.
To get the most out of a lecture, study the material the professor is going to cover beforehand. You learn the most when you can mostly guess what s/he's gonna say next.
For memorization, it depends on the subject, but you can use a flashcard program like Anki or SuperMemo to memorize basic facts. Keep the queries simple and unambiguous.
Memorizing facts isn't enough, but it forms a basis on which understanding is built. Once you understand things thoroughly, you don't need to review those flashcards.
Anyway, get enough sleep. If you're tired during a lecture, everything is so much more difficult. Take care of your health generally. Exercise is also important for good mental clarity.
