I want to make a list of objectives to do in-game to complete the mission. How can I do that so that a player can press a button on the keyboard, read a sign, or pick up a paper that says the words or objectives?

Ah.. well that's the job of the designer and programmer to come up with that process.

- hold a note such as an inventory item with the list
- create a list (part of the SDK)
- do a fallout 3 thing

You're gonna have to get into some light programming based on your posts. The documentation for that is in the Valve wiki.

I don't want it to sound like I am brushing you off. However, you'll need to come up with an idea of exact what you want and then take it to the programming table. I don't know programming that well. I go through the wiki and google for anything I come up with then for some reason forget what I did. :/

Flip, I don't know anything about programming! I will have to find a programmer to help me on my new mod.