This past summer, as I planned for my junior year of college I made the conscious decision to "go paperless". By this I mean that I didn't purchase a single notebook and instead downloaded One Note onto my MacBook (P.S. once you go Mac, you'll never go back). OneNote is made by Microsoft and although similar to it's cousin, Word, this word processing application allows you to organize classes into individual "notebooks" which then may be divided into sections.
Here's a snapshot of OneNote's main screen:
As you can see this software allows you to type, per usual, but it notably (catch that pun?) also allows you to type virtually anywhere onscreen as well as draw, highlight and mark points of interest. You can even create To Do Lists! The best part, in my personal opinion, is the fact that EVERYTHING from OneNote is saved to the online "OneDrive" meaning that even if my shiny new computer crashes (*fingers cross*) I can log into my account from virtually any computer to access my notes. I also use this feature to save my important powerpoint presentations and documents, because you can never be too prepared for the unexpected.
NOW... Before you critique my method, I understand that taking notes on your computer may not seem ideal, and surely it is very different than anything I was used to. But, like any other change I adapted quickly and after a full three weeks of classes I've absolutely loved this note-taking method. I've become a more proficient typer and feel twice as organized when compared to my previous binder-method. Another bonus - my hand calluses are fading and my hands never cramp or ache from hours of writing out notes by hand, as they did previously.
A few of my peers have wondering if my reasoning for going paperless has anything to do with environmental concerns, and my answer to that is yes and no. I mostly did it to increase my productivity and organization in the hopes of better long-term study habits, but I also have the goal of becoming an excellent typer, a skill that I'll carry with me post-graduation. Eco-related concerns are also present in my mind, but the damage to the environment must be so minimal thanks to student's paper usage. If only all students could stray from large packets printed daily, paper text books and piles of notebooks, then could the difference really be seen in the paper industry and thus our ecosystem. Did you know that one tree will produce 8,333 sheets of paper, on average?
Another key benefit of this method is that all I really need for my day-to-day activities is my 2.5 pound MacBook, and my 1-inch binder that I use to contain miscellaneous hand-outs and print material. I never forget a notebook or folder in my room, and my back and shoulders have thanked me!
My advice to those interested in trying out a "virtually paperless" approach to studying and even life in general, is to smart small, maybe one class, and see how you like it! The worst that can happen is you reverting to your old methods and carrying on as usual.
