<p>Alright, I realize this probably sounds like an incredibly dorky question. But I am one of those incredibly dorky people who enjoy shopping at Staples, and I know I will debate this question endlessly come August.</p>
<p>So: Which are better for college classes, spiral notebooks or 3-ring binders?</p>
<p>I started off with spiral notebooks, but then I would always have these handouts and printouts that would always fall out because I'd just shove them in. Also, there would always be blank pages left over, which went to waste at the end of the semester. So I made the switch to 3-ring binders.</p>
<p>It totally depends on the class. For one history seminar this semester, it was entirely discussion, with huge amounts of reading printed off from the internet. So I have a binder with three inches of readings, as well as my papers. For other classes, I tend to use spiral notebooks.</p>
<p>I personally preferred getting one of those expanding plastic file folders/jacket/wallet type things with multiple dividers. I'm not explaining it very well but this is what I'm talking about
Expanding</a> plastic file folder.</p>
<p>Each class/organization had a spot and I could put all the loose paper in there. Then I usually followed that up with a spiral notebook for taking notes...</p>
<p>i usually do a monday wednesday notebook and a tuesday thursday notebook. get a 2 or 3 subject depending on how many classes you have on each day.</p>
<p>I've gone to the 3 ring binders. I didn't like the notebooks in high school because they fell apart on me and there was always some of it left over.</p>
<p>I've actually gone to where I hand write my notes on loose leaf paper and then type them up. I put the printed notes into my binder.</p>
<p>ditto with hops_scout. Then you don't need to worry about having things in the right order/ getting class notes mixed up with notes from your readings. Easy to re-write those notes you doodled all over and still have everything in order when it comes time to studying.</p>
<p>i go for spiral notebooks, used to be one for each class but now i just use a 5 subject. I just put the papers i get in the front of the notebook.</p>
<p>Of course, it also helps that the school gives us free 5 subject spirals.</p>
<p>As long as you don't mind having papers stick out a bit, it works fine</p>
<p>It is all about personal preference. I personally prefer 3-ring binders. I use tabs to keep the papers I put in them organized. I like binders because it's easy to organize all the handouts you get and the notes you take. A notebook is fine, but when you get handouts, they get unorganized if you slip them into the notebook or an accompanying folder. Also, if you have a binder, don't just slip the papers into the side pockets...it defeat the purpose. I like the things BRM was describing, but I don't really use them.</p>
<p>I'm one of those dorks who loves to shop at staples, too :)
I use one big binder for all my classes and I put one of those folder dividers in for each class. So I don't end up actually opening the three rings very often, I just slip my papers into the right folder and it's all right there. This system works much better than any of the others for me.</p>
<p>I have 2 5-subject notebooks: one for my Monday/Wednesday classes, and one for my Tuesday/Thursday classes. What I actually did was stapled folders into the notebooks, so that I just put all my papers in there, and it worked great for me!</p>
<p>I've used 1-subject notebooks, and 3-ring binders, but what I like best is the good (not cheapo) 5-subject notebooks brand (I think it's Five Star?). They have pockets that I can stick hand-outs/syllabi in, and the sections are small enough that not much paper goes to waste in each section (usually I'll just tear it out and use it for scrap paper or doodles or something anyway). And this way, I only have one notebook to keep up with instead of 4 or 5.</p>
<p>my D is in college and she uses binders, and each binder has a plastic pencil case (the kind that with holes to use in a binder) and each case has a highlighter, some 3 by five cards, etc pens and pencils</p>
<p>this way, she takes just the binders she needs for the classes that day, and doesn't worry about the other supplies</p>
<p>she also bought some extra plastic three whole punchers- she spends a few minutes each sunday catching up on the organizing, restocking etc...saves lots of times and panic during the week</p>
<p>both my Ds like the binders because you can print out papers, etc and put them in their notes where they are relevent</p>
<p>what they like about one binder for each class is that when they study, they don't drag along etc work...</p>
<p>and its not dorky to like office supply stores at all!!!!</p>
<p>5 subject notebook with pockets, all the way</p>
<p>I use 2 and 3 subject notebooks. In high school, all I used were binders, but since making the switch to college, I've never used a binder again. Too big, bulky, inconvenient. Easier to keep track of notes and papers with notebooks.</p>
<p>Binders are only slightly bigger than notebooks if you use a 1" binder for each class. Though this would only work if you don't have more than 2 classes a day very often.</p>
<p>i use plastic 3 prong folders with pockets...so far they are working out great and should last me a few years</p>
<p>i just started college in the fall, still adjusting my organizational habits (i'm very disorganized but trying!)</p>
<p>i started with 4 1-subject notebooks for my 4 courses, and i bought matching folders to stash all my material for that class in</p>
<p>but then i got lazy and ditched those folders for those huge folders with many compartments (which you unlatch to open, and you see little sections inside?) </p>
<p>but that was too bulky to take to class... T_T then i would forget stuff in my room... </p>
<p>so next semester i think i'll get the old hs three-ring binders instead, haha</p>
<p>I like using three ring binders for all of my major classes along with color coordinated folders in case the class has a lab section attached to it. All of the lab stuff goes in the folders because generally I won't ever look at it again but its important to keep. I used tab dividers to keep them organized. I really like what citygirlsmom's D does, about reorganizing on sunday. I definitely do that once a week, I pull out all the papers and such that didnt go in the binder and put it in and if Im not pleased w/ my organization i may reorder things etc.</p>
<p>I'm very messy when it comes to my notes...so it took me a while to get a system that works and I'm still working on it.
I use Notebooks. I can't lose notes when I'm studying because they are stuck in there. My notes books are for my organic chemistry and my biometric course.
I used my laptop to take notes for my other three classes which were all biology courses and all had the notes posted at least a day in advance. That way very helpful because I used One-note on them so I could write over the pdfs.
I plan to follow the same system because it was so good when exam time came around and I actually had all my stuff this year (second year).</p>