Class Notes

A VERY SHORT LESSON IN FRENCH STUDENT SHORTHAND:

càd = c'est-à-dire
cô = comme
d/s = dans
e/t = entre
ê = être
qd = quand
Org°, C° = organisation, Constitution (a ° will designate most words ending in "ion". Additionally, sometimes a superscript t will be used to designate most words ending in "ent", and a capital T will designate that the word ends in "té" or something with a similar sound).
tt, ts = tout, tous

Do or die
The system in France is quite different than the Canadian in the fact that 100% for a lot of your courses will be dependent on the exam. There is also rarely ever assigned reading and instead, professors will either pass out bibliographies with dozens (sometimes hundreds) of books none being more recommended than the other. Others will tell you that they built the entire course based on their accumulated knowledge and therefore there is no material available that is particularly related to the class. So try not to take crappy notes. This is why you will soon notice that there is a French style of taking notes, which is furious, complete, and initially incredibly illegible.

Le système D
However, in France, it is very common for French students to share notes. For the most part, a French student will have no qualms to give them to you to photocopy when you ask. French students are also super cool in bringing you up-to-date with what you've missed if you're ever late for class.
Also, I'm not sure if this is the same for all subjects, but the course content for the majority of poli sci courses has been the same for the last three years. A friend of mine was able to forward to me copies of three entire courses at the beginning of the second semester.

Tape Recording
Also for the most part professors are sympathetic to the plight of foreign students and will let you tape record their lectures.