<p>So I was looking at the the check list that Cal has set up and they say that we should bring binders, but in college wouldn't a notebook be just fine? I mean I've used a binder all through highschool to keep my papers for specific classes & to store paper. I don't think I'll be using much of binder paper now and I figure that a large notebook and laptop will be fine. Anyways have any of the experienced bears found a use for binders?</p>
<p>It depends on personal preference really... </p>
<p>Whatever site you're looking at is just a recommendation, not requirement. What you ultimately decide to use is completely up to you. No one at Cal is going to tell you what to bring to class everyday. Heck, if you didn't take notes no one could care either.</p>
<p>I don't use binders b/c classes rarely, if ever, give out handouts. Everything is online (syllabus, HW, problem sets, lecture slides, etc).</p>
<p>Some ppl like using binders with some paper inside to use for notetaking. So it's all personal preferences and likings.</p>
<p>I love perforated, spiral-bound, three-hole punched college ruled notebooks. Those things are SO hard to find sometimes, oddly enough! </p>
<p>I find I need pockets, though, so I pick 1" floppy binders, 1 per class, plus some page protectors to hold syllabi and other term-long hand-outs/notes, and enough loose-leaf for notes and in-class assignments. I tend to bring my laptop to take notes on after the first two weeks of class, but I've also found I pay waaaaaaaaaay less attention in class when I have it, so I try not to do it anymore. :P</p>
<p>I feel like most college students just use notebooks rather than binders. Like undecided, I use perforated, spiral bound three hole punched notebooks. Keep an eye out for sales; I just got some really nice ones at Staples last week for 0.75 each. I also keep around loose leaf lined paper for assignments that need to get turned in. </p>
<p>Other things that are useful that sometimes get forgotten at home are staplers, three-ring hole punchers, and tape. In general though, I feel like people were way more into school supplies in high school though.</p>
<p>i <3 shopping for school supplies x) </p>
<p>target just had 5star one subject on sale last week for a dollar and 3 subject for 2 dollars. which is pretty cheap bc at staples its exp. Mead</a> Five Star® 8 1/2" x 11", 1 Subject Notebook, Each at Staples® </p>
<p>i liek 5 stars becuase it has pockets, the cover is really durable (the other brands i used for minor classes tend to have the cover ripped off with in a month or two use), and the pages are perforated</p>
<p>I got some Mead 1 subject notebooks for $0.05 at Walmart the other day.. I bought $2 worth.</p>
<p>^ that's awesome!</p>
<p>I can see what you mean about Computers being distracting Undecided, this will be my first time using one to take notes in class (dont know many highschoolers who do)...</p>
<p>Do many people just use word? are there some other programs out there you guys use?</p>
<p>I am usually pretty good for a few days, but the first time there's a lull in the discussion, or someone asks a stupid question, I start browsing the internet and then I'm gone. :p It <em>has</em> come in handy when answering questions during lecture or looking up something the professor isn't sure of, but I think it costs too much for me to bring it to every class. :p</p>
<p>I used Word (OpenOffice Writer before I got Office) when I was in class. Kinda sucks 'cause it eats my battery REALLY quickly to have Word running, but I format while I'm typing and I really need the ability to do things like underline, italics, line breaks (yay infinite canvas!), etc.</p>
<p>Does it seem like most people bring their computers to class?</p>
<p>^ no. Not at all. I guess it depends on the classes, but I find that maybe around 10% bring their laptops to classes where it is easy to do so (like a history, english, bio class). Most just use notebooks.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say "most," but in most classes I've had, I wasn't the only one. In big lectures (not science or math), about 10% of people seem to bring their computers. In small seminars, it depends on the class, but anywhere from 0% to 50% have a computer.</p>
<p>The best thing is to go a week without bringing a laptop. See how it works for you to hand-write notes. If it turns out you write too slow to keep up, or the professor doesn't mind having typists in the middle of the lecture*, go ahead and bring it.</p>
<p>*Very often, the professor doesn't say anything. However, from my experience being the ONLY ONE in the room typing, I -know- it's rude and disruptive to type when I could be writing just as easily and far less obtrusively.</p>
<p>ETA: Hahah, cross-posted with Smallz. Guess the general percentage is pretty regular!</p>
<p>I got through high school without binders. Although seeing as I also got through high school without ever taking a note, I am probably not well-suited to answer this question.</p>
<p>^
lol. how's that possible..</p>
<p>^ I didn't need any binders either..</p>
<p>Binders are so "high school"......</p>
<p>do I need to bring a graphing calculator if I am already bringing a sceintific one ( matha 1a & chem 1a)</p>
<p>Graphing calculators are good for checking answers, but it has never been needed for a course that I've taken. College math doesn't give out problems that let you punch out the answers anyways.</p>
<p>are the TI 84 calculators sufficient or do i need a new one?</p>
<p>Today @ Target I bought 20 "perforated, spiral-bound, three-hole punched college ruled notebooks" for $2.00!!! It was 50 cents for a package of 5! WHAT A DEAL. and it's the kind with good quality white paper. YAAAAY!!</p>