<p>I use a 3 subject notebook and binders.</p>
<p>The notebooks are for taking notes in classes that needs notes.</p>
<p>The binders are so I can organize hand outs, quizes and exams. So, I only use the binder whenever an exam is coming up.</p>
<p>Binders by far. More flexibility.</p>
<p>The flexible binders are AMAZING. I love them. A lil bit more $$$$ but DEFINETELY worth it.</p>
<p>I don't really use notebooks or binders. i tried to during the first couple weeks of college, but then i'd stop writing on them.</p>
<p>what i do is i type all my notes on my laptop... it's much easier, especially during lectures where the professor speeds through the lecture.</p>
<p>then i'd have a folder for each class where i'd print out supplemental sheets, problem sets, syllabi, etc.</p>
<p>then i have a huge notecard box where i keep all my notecards for each class. yes, notecards have saved my life in college... it's so much easier to memorize things.</p>
<p>i don't like binders because they are too bulky and i can never find a three whole punch. moreover i don't like notebooks because i can't stuff extra paper in them. so folders it is!</p>
<p>notebooks are best. some of my classes only meet on alternate days, so i don't have to bring the notebook for that class, and it makes my bag slightly lighter. especially if it's more than 1 class that doesn't meet on that day. i also like to just rip out the pages from the notebook to do assignments or turn in in-class assignments. it's also much cheaper. during the school sale, you can buy a notebook for a dime. that way you don't need to buy paper for your binder, and your binder. i also buy a few of those thin folders with flaps. which is relatively cheap too. binders also don't last very long.</p>
<p>I just stuff all papers and handouts into one giant folder/compartment/desk and never look at them again. Worked perfectly since elementary school.</p>
<p>I want to add to my previous post by saying those new five star flex notebinders are exactly what I use, all conveniently prepackaged. If I didn't already have my system, I would SO get one of those.</p>
<p>a 5-subject notebook with the pockets is the way to go, especially if you are a guy like me who tends to spend no time at all organizing. I hate binders because you end up losing papers, they're bulky, take a long time (to me, 3 minutes is a long time) to organize, and they're uncomfortable to write on. </p>
<p>I also use 1 red folder for "Important" papers, 1 transparent folder for "Homework", and 1 folder for "Crap I don't know what to do with but might be important anyway". And yes, I actually did write that down in the cover of the folder using a Sharpie =)</p>
<p>It's worked for me so far, and I never study anyway except for the BS classes like english and other humanities. The real classes (physics and calculus) all I do is go over the concepts in the book and make sure I understand the theorems, then maybe 1 or 2 practice problems. So far, so good =)</p>
<p>I hate the bulk of binders, so I do notebooks. But I can't deny the convenience of hole punching handouts right alongside the notes they relate to.</p>