<p>Just wondering if we should come with our laptops, the textbooks, just pencil and paper, etc etc. Thanks!</p>
<p>You usually don't need your textbooks in class ever. I would just bring something to take notes on...some classes jump right in, or you'll just go over the syllabus.</p>
<p>thank you! do students at umd normally take notes on a laptop, or on paper?</p>
<p>I'd say for the most part students still take notes on paper, but an increasing amount of students are bringing laptops. I personally decided on a class by class basis...I'll bring my laptop to some classes, and bring a notebook for others.</p>
<p>what about taking notes on a tablet pc?</p>
<p>I have a friend who does that...it's pretty cool.</p>
<p>on the first day most of the teachers lay down the curriculum and such. however some do start right away, so bring at least a notepad and pen so you can take notes. i took my laptop regularly to class so I could follow .ppt presentations on my own laptop rather than keep looking up and also for introductory psych with Capo, he talks fast and removes overheads quickly but he puts notes online so don't stress if you get him, GET OUT else you may get a D.</p>
<p>If you think that bringing a laptop will distract you, I'd strongly recommend taking notes with a paper & pen, at least for your first semester. Learn how to take notes and study first, then bring in the other distractions like facebook, AIM and doing work for other classes. :)</p>
<p>@lindz: I'd bring my laptop for my freshmen year for all my classes except for math. Its almost impossible to do maths on a laptop. You gotta keep that 'Character Map' open... lol!</p>
<p>Btw, my laptop's battery is dead. All desks in the classes have a power socket?</p>
<p>Not all desks have a power socket, but every room will have seats close to one. Just get to class early and you'll be able to find them.</p>
<p>@somebody: What about the classes where there are more than a hundred students? Say 200? How to get a power socket there?</p>
<p>There are some in the floor--you just have to show up a bit early to find where they are. In the new buildings (Van Munching, Bioscience Research, Kim Building) there are power sockets everywhere, but in the older lecture halls, you'll have to find them.</p>
<p>gibbu-- i tried to draw a graph in microsoft word once on my laptop during an econ class. what a mess.</p>
<p>@lindz: Graphing and calculations can never be done on a laptop. Its better to stick to taking notes on paper when doing math related stuff.</p>
<p>For theory (big time writing), laptops are much faster, considering that you have a good typing speed.</p>
<p>I'll stick to a laptop when taking notes, and my notepad when doing maths/graphing.</p>
<p>I take my laptop to classes so I can play games and act like I am paying attention.</p>