When I learned martial arts in the 70’s and 80’s I went to lessons, took a notebook and took notes in my own way. Then when I went home I would practice from those notes I had taken earlier. The notebook went with me everywhere, and whenever the opportunity arose I would open it up and practice. When I went back for my next lesson, my instructor expected me to have practiced and learned what we went through the last time. IMO it’s still a good way to progress.
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If you do want to progress in the martial arts, you can’t shift all of the responsibility onto your instructor, you have to take some of it yourself. The more responsibility you take, the more you will develop.
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My advice is to take notes yourself, practice from them and then make further notes of what questions you need to ask your instructor the next time you get together. Nothing encourages an instructor more than a student with a list of good questions that has obviously arisen from their personal training. While on the other hand, nothing demoralizes an instructor more than a student who just wants to blame them for their inability to take responsibility for their own studies.
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Learning how to learn is an important aspect of being a good student, and taking responsibility for your own studies is probably the most important decision you can make. Remember that learning is a 2 way street. Be willing to own a piece of the learning experience. You will need to participate and take some risk to get outside of your comfort zone because that is the only way to truly learn.
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Finally, be polite. Offending your teacher is the fastest way to break a very important relationship. I know so many rude, inconsiderate people who went to my teachers and got nothing from them, but with a little bit of respect, courtesy and gratitude for things that I was taught, meant I got so much more……
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My advice is:
Turn up on time.
Always pay whether you attend or not.
Take notes.
Practice what you’ve been taught.
Come back with intelligent questions.
Respect your instructor’s views.
Always be polite and courteous………..It’s not a lot to ask for…. 
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With thanks to Steve Rowe 9th dan Shikon International
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 Photo Credit: Japan National Tourism Organization
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