According to study skills author Cal Newport, average students take notes “to capture the information,” but straight-A students take notes “to reduce study time." Newport estimates that for every hour you spend in class, you can shave 20-30 minutes off the study time required to get an “A” on the test if you take notes using his techniques. If you want to get better grades and study less, spend some time this weekend reading Cal’s collection of note-taking posts here. Don’t be thrown off by the references to college students—these tips work just as well in high school.