Basically laptop vs notebook. I was planning on just handwriting them and then either retyping or outlining them on my laptop, but I’m also afraid that it’s going to go too fast for me to handwrite everything. Does anyone have this problem? Also, is it legal to record lectures and classes? I think being able to listen to it again while I review it at my own speed would be really useful.
I handwrite. It’s not easy/efficient to type notes for math/science classes that involve a lot of pictures/diagrams/greek letters. And no way I’m going to lug around my laptop for the one humanities class I take each semester!
While college lectures do go fast, unless you are a particularly slow writer you shouldn’t have problems getting everything you need.
Recordings are legal ONLY with consent of the instructor. Some will put it in the syllabus, so be sure to look. If it’s not in the syllabus, you need to ask. Honestly, I wouldn’t bother. You don’t want to rely on a method that may not (and probably will not) be allowed in all classes. You probably won’t even want to dedicate the time to listen to the same thing twice, anyways. I haven’t found a single person who does.
I hand-write all of my notes. I tried taking notes on my laptop one time, and I hated it. I’ve never tried it since. Most of my classes now are math and science classes anyway, and it’s kind of impractical to use a laptop in most of those classes. Some people like taking notes on laptops, so it’s a personal choice. It’s worth trying out, but keep in mind that some professors won’t allow it. The majority of my professors have had a strict ban on phones/tablets/laptops in their classes.
I handwrite my notes - I draw little arrows, bubbles, asides, underlines, etc that would be very difficult on a laptop; I don’t have a problem keeping up with the lectures because I usually can gauge what notes need to be taken down and what can just be listened to.
Some professors post powerpoint and record their lectures which is great because it means you can go back and study not only your notes, but the lectures themselves too - plus it makes sitting in class a lot more low-key because you can spend more time listening and less time jotting stuff down. Other professors don’t do that because they think it encourages skipping class/not paying attention (which to some extent it does) - so it varies from course to course. You just need to get a feel for the class itself.
I will say, however, that when I do see laptops being used in class, more often than not the student is doing something other than taking notes. Sometimes its doing other homework and sometimes its just browsing FB. You’ll probably be a bit more disciplined if whatever method your using doesn’t have WiFi capabilities.
Handwrite your notes. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/
(I am a hypocrite and take lecture notes on a laptop so I can mess around when the professor’s going too slow/answering a question I know the answer to, but I rewrite those notes when I get back to my dorm.)
Yes, it is. Just ask the professor if it’s ok.
I forgot to mention above, that sometimes typing notes saved me when the prof didn’t allow recording and rattled off 50 topics we were going to see on the final. Most people got 10-20, while I got all 50 (cause I type 90-100 WPM).
You shouldn’t ever have a problem keeping up with hand-written notes. Like many have said already, it can be quite handy to scribble as well. I also agree with @preamble1776 in that having a laptop in class can be a huge distraction. I know that when I started using one to take notes I found myself surfing the internet instead and eventually playing games, completely shutting-out the professor. I’m not saying this would happen to you, but it appeared to be in the norm…
I usually do handwritten. A lot of my classes are STEM classes that don’t lend themselves to notes on a laptop. I have used my laptop for notes in a couple classes though, where the professor talked quickly and taking notes on a laptop was perfectly practical. Namely, I’ve done this in philosophy and anthropology classes with no issue.
As far as laptops being a distraction, I agree. I’m usually pretty good about not goofing off on my computer when I am using it, but I typed notes for a class last quarter that I wasn’t all that interested in and I wound up on Facebook half the time. And for me at least, seeing people in front of me goofing off on their computers distracts me. Actually, I’ve had some professors that require people using laptops to sit in the back so it doesn’t distract others. Others ban them outright, but I’ve only seen a couple do that.
In addition to the laptop being a potential distraction, I’ve found that I don’t retain as much when I’m taking notes on a laptop. I can easily type as fast as most people talk, so for just getting notes down typing seems to be the most practical if it’s a subject that you can type notes in. But most of that information doesn’t stick the first time around, and to make up for that I end up having to go over my notes more than I would if I had handwritten them.
I prefer handwritten notes, mostly because I remember the information better.
Last semester I did have a class (Biology) that I switched from handwritten to typed at the end because it was a lot faster and I hated the course (already knew the material). But drawing diagrams wasn’t an issue since I already knew what they were going to look like. Personally I didn’t have trouble with distractions, but that’s just me.
As a general rule, though, I remember material much better when I write it down by hand.
It depends on the class. I would handwrite in classes like math and chemistry where there are a lot of equations and diagrams and such. I’d also handwrite in classes where powerpoint slides or other handouts were available beforehand and I would write directly on them. I would type in humanities (like history, english) and social sciences (like psychology) classes. I basically did whichever method was most convenient. In my last couple of years, I started taking all of my notes on my iPad so I could switch between typing and handwriting, depending on what was easiest.
My recommendation is to just try whichever method you prefer for the first class or two, and if it’s not working out, then switch to something else.
I handwrite my notes in class. It works for me because I retain info better that way. When I’m studying for a test I handwrite notes and also type them. It helps me memorize.
My sister and her husband are professors and I know they allow recordings. It just depends on the professor I guess. I have voice recorded lectures before. I would just download a recording App onto my iPad. But I honestly didn’t even listen to them after I recorded since the classes were easy. But I do think recording would be very helpful in other classes of mine.
@vctory: I disagree with that link because everyone is different. I’ve taken notes by hand and by laptop, and I’ve found that taking notes on a laptop helps me retain information easier. When I write notes by hand, because I’m a slow writer (for legible purpose), I often miss out on that important piece of information the professor just said. And then I quickly forget what they just said while they move on to talking about another important point. With a laptop, I can actually get a lot more information down.
I’m an engineering major so I prefer writing notes by hand. It is exceptionally helpful when the professors like my biology professor post lecture notes online. I like being able to draw all over the slides and be able to see my additional notes at once.
I used a computer for a philosophy class and got distracted a lot but I also got distracted a lot when I was taking notes by hand in that class too so whatever.
@sweetlacecharm Here’s the study referenced in the article: http://www.academia.edu/6273095/The_Pen_Is_Mightier_Than_The_Keyboard_Advantages_of_Longhand_Over_Laptop_Note_Taking
notebook all the way! it’s proven more effective in helping you remember the information. plus many of my classes don’t allow taking notes on the computer (i go to community college though)
As an AVID tutor, I highly recommend cornell notes. I love them!
I don’t use notes to study, but I’m trying to take notes in a notebook this semester so I don’t zone out. As far as not being able to write fast enough, that usually only happens with PowerPoints and those are usually posted online anyway.
Who takes notes?
I always start the semester trying to take notes because it seems like everyone else does, but I usually stop pretty quickly and then I start zoning out in the lectures.
I mean, there are some classes where you’ll be just fine if you just listen to the professor and occasionally write down bullet points. I have a class like that right now, where other than writing down the topic we’re covering and any examples he specifically mentions, you just have to listen. As a general rule, I’ll start out every class taking a moderate amount of notes and adjust how much I write down accordingly after feeling out the class.
That said, even if taking notes isn’t necessary, I tend to do it anyway. Otherwise my mind tends to wander and by the time I’m paying full attention again, I’m lost. At least when I’m taking notes I’m forced to focus on the lecture. That’s me, though.
A great way to take notes is with a tablet. Using a stylus to digitally handwrite your notes makes them more organized (or at least mine) since you can use different colors and whatnot.