Running a game session of Dungeons & Dragons or any other tabletop RPG as a DM/GM requires orchestrating a lot of different things. There's a lot of information you have to relay to your players about your campaign, such as details about the environments, monsters, puzzles, and what not. But on top of that, there's also a lot of information you need to glean from your players. And that's why you should take notes!
As a DM, you should always be keeping track of your players. Always make note of their current levels and stats, even what items they currently have. You don't want to send them into the fray thinking that they have just the item they need to get out of the situation, when in reality they don't. This can turn into a situation that's frustrating for your players and ends up being a bit clumsy.
You should also make note of your players' interactions with the world. This is a bit more detailed, but it's absolutely crucial. Perhaps in one adventure, your players got in a brawl at a local tavern that resulted in the near-destruction of the tavern or the shaming of a local hero. Realistically events like these would effect your players' next adventure in the town. Perhaps after the destroying the tavern the owner refuses to let them back in. Even if it's not that extreme, it would be a bit silly if the owner carried on as if nothing ever happened.
In order to be realistic, you want your world to also be persistent. This means that things have long-lasting effects and that there's no blatant contradictions. Conversations and events need to have meaning so that your players can leave their mark on the world. NPCs should sometimes remember your players and things that they have done, both good and bad. Try to take notes of everything that happens, not just the key events. You never know when a tiny little detail from way back when might need to be brought up again.
But beyond events, you should also take notes to make sure you are roleplaying consistently. If you come up with a character on the fly and you use a particular accent to bring them to life, important to make sure you use the same accent next time your players meet them again. With multiple players, chances are one of them will remember what they sound like and catch your mistake if you don't roleplay consistently.
This might sound like a lot to keep track of, and it is, so it's important that you find the best note taking strategies for you personally. You don't need to write down things verbatim or in great detail, just enough so that you know all you need to know. The same note taking strategies you might use in school or college will help.
Hope this helps. Feel free to leave comments or questions! Happy questing!
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