I've found that Forsyth Notation is an efficient way to record chess positions; something every chess player has to do sooner or later.  The notation is easy to learn and easy to use.

The board is viewed from the usual position with white at the bottom of the board. The board is, by way of explanation, numbered as in the algebraic system with the ranks numbered 1-8 and the files lettered a-h, but the numbers and letters aren't really part of the notation system.

Look at the board, scanning it rank by rank from a8 to h8, then from a7 to h7 and so forth.  Each man is shown by its initial letter.  Lowercase letters mark Black, and the capital letters mark White.  Blank squares in the ranks between men are recorded by giving their total number.  Each rank can be placed on a separate line or written all together with slanting lines dividing the ranks.

Personally, I like to put each rank on a line of its own because it's easier to read and parallels the actual chess board.  Here's the characteristic position of the Ruy Lopez, Morphy defense:

        r1bqkbnr
        1ppp1ppp
        p1n5
        1B2p3
        4P3
        5N2
        PPPP1PPPP
        RNBQK2R

Remember to always begin recording at the upper left-hand corner a8 and end with the lower right-hand corner h1.  If a rank should be empty write 8.  If there are several empty ranks together, they may be recorded as multiples of 8, but I prefer to list them individually since that way provides is a better reflection of the actual board.