Laptop vs. Pen/Paper

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I am getting ready to start a nursing program in the Fall and I am wondering, what's better for note taking during lectures, a laptop or good ol' pen/paper.

I know during clinicals and labs pen/paper is probably better, but what about during lectures?

Any thoughts?

I've tried both ways at University of Florida for two years, and I have to recommend pen and notebook--and not just any pen. Go to Staples/wherever and pick up a multi-color pen. Red, green, black, and blue all in one pen makes it amazingly easy to color-code notes. I tend to write vocabulary-type words in red, formulas and equations in green, important sentences in blue, and the rest of the notes in black.

If this sounds like too much work, you might write (or type) all your notes once in class, then *rewrite* them with colorcoding. For me, the more I write something, the more it sticks in my mind. Typed words just don't have the same sticking power.

I color code as well (on the computer of course), it's always worked well for me.

I have a palette of colors set up for each class depending on whether I'll be writing on colored PowerPoint slides (different pen colors and highlighter colors show up differently on a colored PowerPoint background, vs. me just writing notes on a blank screen).

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I would suggest using the Livescribe Pulse Smartpen system. Then when you get home, you can fill in your notes or redo them on your computer if you choose.

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I did both. I have a tablet computer (it's a laptop that is also a tablet computer), so I write my notes with the pen that comes with my computer right the screen. I use Microsoft OneNote, it not only indexes all the PowerPoint slides from the Prof, but also anything I write as notes. I also use OneNote to record lectures. The software automatically synchronizes my handwritten notes with the recording. So, when I'm going through my notes after class and can't figure out what I've written....there's a play button next to it that when I click on it, will start the lecture recording 5 seconds before I started writing the mystery entry.

I'm just curious, what brand of tablet to you have? I'm looking for a laptop and tablet have been appealing to me. My budget is $1300, so I don't know if you can get one for that price?

Thanks!

ps, sorry for taking over the thread!

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I got a tablet laptop (HP Touchsmart) for $1200 or less at one of the large office stores. If you don't mind getting a refurbished model, they can be found at the Radioshack website for, I believe, about $879.

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I'm just curious, what brand of tablet to you have? I'm looking for a laptop and tablet have been appealing to me. My budget is $1300, so I don't know if you can get one for that price?

Thanks!

ps, sorry for taking over the thread!

Sent you a PM

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I got a tablet laptop (HP Touchsmart) for $1200 or less at one of the large office stores. If you don't mind getting a refurbished model, they can be found at the Radioshack website for, I believe, about $879.

I'm really surprised that you'd recommend a digital hybrid pen after having a tablet!

A friend had one of those pens, I tried her's and she played with my computer....I stayed with my tablet and she bought a tablet the next term. She found the pen to be a huge hassle compared to having everything digitally already (ie uploading it, dealing with the paper notes, etc).

To each their own I suppose.

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Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I actually have a netbook, so the weight isn't a problem. One thing I never thought about was how my typing might distract another student. I would hate to do that so I think I'm going to give the pen/paper method a try. If I find I can't keep up, I can always bring my netbook in with me!

Again, thanks!

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