Just-a-note-a-takin and a-note-a-makin

Thinking back on my years of school, I recall one way of note taking that was taught to me. I believe I was in fifth grade when I was taught the two column note taking technique. That technique however, does not work for me. I have no organization to my notes usually but I know what I am talking about. I do wish I could have been taught several ways to take notes though because sometimes I feel like I am not writing correct things down or I am trying to write so much that I get behind on what I am suppose to be writing and then my notes get all messed up. I was glad to learn more about note taking because I feel that note taking is very important for students to learn. I had no idea that there are so many different way to take notes. I have found that I sort of incorporate all sorts of note taking into my own. I find it very helpful to put big stars beside what I “think” is important. (I am sometimes wrong though about what “I” think is important though.) If students can be organized with their note taking, then it will help them to be better organized and maybe not have to worry about small things that have little relevance to the lesson. I want to know how, as a student, I am supposed to know what is important though. I think that teachers need to be clear on important facts and not add so much fluff to their lesson. If teachers are giving free information, they need to make that clear. It is important for all students know several different types of note taking so they can figure out which way are best for them. Matrix, concept maps, and charts are all good ways to show to students. The main focus is to get the students focused and organized.
SOOOOO.....
My questions are:
How do I know what is important when taking my own personal notes? Should I all ready know this? (Is this sad that I am asking?)
Also, This may be a dumb question but..... Some of the note taking concepts in the book were a little confusing to me... Am I suppose to teach those to my students?