1. take whatever notes work for you best, I prefer hand writing but some people brought laptops because they preferred that
2. seminars are small groups, usually 5-10 students and it will be more discussion based rather than a lecture, so you may be given a topic to research or homework to do as preparation then you will discuss or debate it in the seminar
3. contact hours vary, I always had around 10 contact hours a week but some courses are heavier/lighter