<p>This might seem like a stupid question, but at two colleges I shadowed at, it seemed like all of the students kept their laptops in their dorms and used paper notebooks for classes. Now, I come from a high school that has a laptop lease program, so I'm used to taking notes on a computer. I do use a notebook for a couple of classes, and I've found that my laptop notes are much more thorough and are actually legible. When I inquired about laptop use with my host, the response was like "Well, you can use it if you want, but the professors just think you're on Facebook." She was very hesitant about it, like you can technically do it, but not really. I really want to use a laptop- probably going Mac so I'm obviously paying a good deal for it- and I want to take the best notes possible. But, I don't want to stick out like crazy as an incoming freshman and I don't want to lose the respect of my professors before I even know them. I'm a motivated student and I type well enough that I can look at the teacher while I take notes, so I will still be involved in class discussions and stuff.</p>
<p>What are your experiences with this? True/not true? Or am I just paranoid? (which is entirely probable haha)</p>
<p>I have never had a class where people couldn’t use a laptop…</p>
<p>At my university, some professors don’t care, and others have a strict no-laptop policy. You’ll never be criticized for taking notes with pen and paper.</p>
<p>Just follow the “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” adage, and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Yeah scope the room before you bring and use it or just ask. Some professors still don’t like them used in class. I’m guessing its more of a distraction issue rather than the actual medium on which you write you’re notes. As much as it hurts the chances of others being able to use laptops in class, people will still mess with facebook or play games or whatever while a lecture is taking place instead of using it for notes. I understand why they would. I know I’ve wanted to with some of my more boring professors, but its overall not a good idea. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! As you say, it really might just depend on the professor. I’ll bring notebooks along just to be safe and see where things go from there.</p>
<p>Definitely agree on the games/Facebook front. But if people don’t want to pay attention, they’ll zone out regardless. It’s really just the high-tech version of doodling in a notebook, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Almost all professors are okay with laptops. It’s only not okay if the professor specifies so (usually film classes don’t allow them)</p>
<p>Personal experience says that the laptop is inferior to a notebook:</p>
<p>1.) Battery runs out much faster than a pen runs out.
2.) Much lower contrast in comparison to pen/paper.
3.) Screen inhibits line-of-sight between you and professor.</p>
<p>Not to mention, it will be a distraction in most cases. This is just under the assumption that you will not get distracted at all, which I find hard to believe.</p>