<p>Try Five Star FlexBinders, it’s both a bind and a notebook in one. I hated bulky binders and hated not being to input something into a notebook. My solution: FlexBinder! They last longer than binders, I have one for about 2 year now in great condition. :)</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>I always suggest attending the first day of class and go from there because it all depends on the professor.</p>
<ol>
<li>Some professors do powerpoints only, in which this case a binder with the print-outs would be beneficial</li>
<li>Some professors do in-class lectures only, no presentation. Notebooks/Tape recorder/Laptop would work here</li>
<li>Some professors have very hands-on class in which a folder and notebook would be needed.</li>
</ol>
<p>I always have the notebook with a little pocket folder in front, but I only use binders for ppt-only classes. I realized that college has less handouts in general unless it’s a smaller class.</p>
<p>my sons tended to use none of the above–they chose the portfolios that have several dividers inside, one for each class. It gave them the ability to keep all of everything relating to a class easily accessible in one place–a spiral notebook for class notes, flash cards, handouts, notes for a paper in progress etc.</p>