<p>Such a dilemma, innit?</p>
<p>I've always used multiple 1" binders, one per class, but I'm finding them a little difficult to juggle. Think a larger, single binder would be easier? What do you use? How do you organize?</p>
<p>I use spiral notebooks. Back when I was required to have binders (middle/high school) I was always really bad about putting papers away… at least with spirals, most of the papers are in the rings. :P</p>
<p>I’d say little binders makes more sense, since you can grab what you need for the day instead of carrying around everything all the time. Seems like less of a hassle, and makes it easier to find papers if they’re strictly sorted by class.</p>
<p>How about something like a MWF binder and a T-Th binder if you have a class schedule that’s consistent over several days?</p>
<p>^That’s a good suggestion. Personally, I have a binder for each subject. I find it difficult to stay organized, so that’s what helps me the best. One big binder was a hassle for me- notes from one subject always seemed to migrate to another, and there was never enough room for syllabi, handouts, lab reports, etc.</p>
<p>OP, this is very off topic, but would you happen to be British?</p>
<p>My brother has a one big binder but I like multiple binders.</p>
<p>The choice is urs the only bad thing is possibly losing or misplacing it.</p>
<p>Sent from my C5155 using CC</p>
<p>I always had one small binder and one big binder. The small binder I took with me everywhere I went and when I had pages or notes I didn’t need for a while, I’d transfer them to a big binder I left at home. The binders would all be divided into sections and if I felt like the small binder didn’t have enough space, I would just get a second small binder.</p>
<p>Sent from my ADR6300 using CC</p>
<p>I only have one smallish binder…I think it’s like 1.5 inches thick. I have 4-5 folders in it, depending on how many classes I have during a given semester. I really don’t keep much in it. The few handouts that I get in class, plus whatever assignments I have due on a given day. I keep all of my notes in spiral notebooks. It’s far easier to organize your notes when you don’t have to worry about “organizing” them. With a spiral notebook, they’re organized by default, assuming that you work through the notebook from front to back anyway.</p>
<p>I have an accordion folder and a set of notebooks, which has worked out pretty nicely.</p>
<p>If I were British, I would have spelled it “organise”. 
California born and bred.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions everyone, lots of good ideas. I really do like my multiple binders, with everything color coordinated, but it really does add some bulk. I already keep my notes in spiral bound notebooks, which I agree, makes it easier to keep track of them.</p>
<p>I think I need to replace my 16 year old Jansport backpack with something a bit more spacious, anyway.</p>
<p>Having a decent sized, intelligently designed backpack makes a big difference. Having a quality backpack can make a big difference in the weight distribution characteristics, and will make your back feel a hell of a lot better versus wearing a cheap backpack. </p>
<p>Having separate binders for certain days would be good too. For instance, if you have the same two classes on mondays and wednesdays, and another two classes on tuesdays and thursdays, you could make up two separate binders…the M/W binder and the T/Th binder. That would still allow you to keep some separation and organization, while reducing the load.</p>
<p>I like that idea, and that’s roughly what I was doing before…but I keep gaps between my classes and use them for homework time, and then I never seemed to have the homework that I needed to finish.</p>
<p>I think one good sized binder works best. Get tabs. I prefer like 3,4, or 5 subject notebooks depending on how many classes I’m taking cause I always have my notes there and don’t really think that they’ll rip out or something.</p>
<p>I moved away from binders way back in high school.</p>
<p>I found a system that works for me. I used spiral notebooks. I usually get two three or five-subject spiral notebooks. I then use each section for each class. One notebook is for M/W/F classes and the other is for T/Th classes. I then have a folder for each class (each folder is a different color). That way, I only have to carry one notebook and three folders on any one given day and it’s a lot easier to keep up with stuff than in a binder.</p>
<p>I usually use spiral notebooks and three-prong folders, color coded by class if at all possible. If the class is a series, I use a 3 or 5 subject notebook for the entire series (dependent on how many quarters the sequence is) and a different folder for each class in the series, again color coded. I also tab my notebooks by the topics covered in class so I can find a particular subject easier when I need to look something up. In the case of a series, I also tab based on where the notes for each class begin and end.</p>
<p>I tried using binders fall quarter and it ended up really disorganized. The way I do it now is easier for me, but as always it will depend on you.</p>
<p>Just to add: I also transfer my notes into OneNote once I get back from class, unless it’s something like math with a bunch of calculations. It gives me a chance to both look over my notes and make sure I have them in multiple places if necessary.</p>
<p>A British person probably also wouldn’t refer to binders or classes. It would be files and courses.</p>
<p>If you use only one binder, you are at the risk of losing everything in one go.</p>
<p>I just read “innit,” and I never heard an American use that before so… :p</p>
<p>Maybe this is because I take ridiculously detailed notes, but I filled up my 1" binders and then some over the course of a semester. One large binder seems like it would just limit your space.</p>
<p>How would the 2 binder system work out if one had like 6-7 classes with 3-4 classes each day that rotated with classes to conflict the M/W + T/TH + F system. Would one just take both binders to class every day?</p>