<p>i'm trying to pack up for college. I'll be taking 5 classes each semester and was wondering if I really need binders to bring to college. They are econ, poli sci, english, etc classes + 1 math class and 1 language class.</p>
<p>Can you suggest what should I bring in terms of binders and notebooks? </p>
<p>I figured I would be using my macbook pro for note taking so I didnt really think those would be necessary besides a math notebook and a TI 89 and some mechanical pencils and pens for final exams/midterms.</p>
<p>i’ve yet to use a binder in college. i just use notebooks: for the tougher classes, i use maybe a three subject notebook (to do hw in, practice problems, take supplemental notes, etc) and for the simpler classes, i use a one subject notebook - if at all. i’ve had one or two classes where a simple duo tang folder would have sufficed.</p>
<p>I rarely use binders…too bulky and things tear out too easily.</p>
<p>Best thing is usually a spiral notebook. If it’s a paper-intensive class, get a three or five subject (I used a five section for calc - two sections for notes, two for homework problems).</p>
<p>If you have a few classes that doesn’t have a lot of notes, consider using the same notebook for those classes - a section or two per class.</p>
<p>If it’s a class with a lot of handouts, a folder is handy. Or a spiral notebook with pocketed dividers.</p>
<p>Don’t think you’re going to use a computer for that much. For classes like history, poly sci, it will probably work well…but for math, economics, etc, you’re going to be taking notes by hand.</p>
<p>And you probably won’t use that TI-89 at all during class…definitely not if you’re taking a calc class. For homework…it’s a nice way to save time though.</p>
<p>I bought a 5 subject notebook for each quarter and it usually took care of the job. Depending on how in depth your notes are I would say 2 5 subject notebooks should be more than enough.</p>
<p>I use binders to store notes in, but don’t use them actively during the semester. For example, I have a big binder for all of my math notes from the past 4 years (yes, I have gone back for reference).</p>
<p>In class though, I take notes in a spiral binder that you can tear paper out of. I almost never take notes on my computer, simply because I don’t want to deal with the weight of a laptop daily.</p>
<p>^ it’s useful for humanities and social science classes. Some natural sciences like biology and psychology too. I can type much, much faster than I can write.</p>
<p>What worked for you in HS? Some people really thrive with the binders and the portable three-hole punch (I’ve seen students punch holes in handouts during class to insert them), other people like to use small spiral notebooks, sometimes laptops or netbooks or ipads work well, some folks borrow a scrap of paper from a neighbor and a pen from someone else when they decide they need to take notes. It’s rare that a professor will demand a specific format.</p>
<p>Most of the time you’re not allowed to use a TI-89 on tests, and if you use one during lectures you’re going to end up relying on it too much. Keep it in your room if you want to, just to check work, make things quicker for HW etc.</p>
<p>gina- I wouldn’t be too sure of that. My stats class allowed any calculator you want.
But another stats class (taught through the math department) allowed up to an 83.</p>
<p>I’ve never noticed anyone. I do but my recorder sits in a pocket in my purse, and if anyone has seen it they probably mistook it for a cell phone.</p>
<p>My chemistry class had so many handouts that it couldn’t fit into a folder. For that case, I got a binder.</p>
<p>In most cases, you’ll just need a separate spiral notebook and folder for each class. Taking notes on a laptop is a pain, in my opinion. But if you prefer that, you can go without the spiral notebooks.</p>