Symbols helpful in math -- these are commonly used in texts and references.

S = sum 

f = frequency   

Leave out periods in standard abbreviations.

cf = compare

e.g. = example 

dept = department 

Use g to represent ing endings.

ckg = checking

estg = establishing

decrg = decreasing

Omit vowels, retain only enough consonants to give a recognizable skeleton of the word.

ppd = prepared

prblm = problem

bkgd = background

Use an apostrophe in place of letters.

am’t = amount

cont’d = continued

educat’l = educational 

Use only the first syllable of a word.
pol = politics

dem = democracy 

lib = liberal 

Use entire first syllable and only 1st letter of 2nd syllable.

pres = presentation

subj = subject 

ind = individual

Eliminate final letters. Use just enough of the word to form a recognizable abbreviation.

assoc = associate

biol = biology

info = information
ach = achievement

chem = chemistry

min = minimum

Form the plural of a symbol or abbreviated word by adding s.

chpts = chapters 

egs = examples

fs = frequencies

Spell out short words such as in, at, to, but, for, and key. Abbreviations or symbols for short words will make the notes too dense with shorthand.

Leave out unimportant words.

Leave out the words a and the.

If a term, phrase, or name is written out in full during the lecture, substitute initials whenever the term, phrase, or name is used again.

For example, Center for Aerospace Sciences

becomes CAS thereafter.

Use symbols for commonly recurring connective or transitional words.

w/ = with

\ = therefore

= = is or equal
& = and

w/o = without

vs = against

Use technical symbols where applicable.

zb = German

ibid = Latin

o = degrees