Digital vs. Paper: University Students’ Preference for Note Taking
Whether you're sitting in a classroom or studying at the library, taking notes is a big part of university life. It’s how students capture key ideas, review complex topics, and stay engaged with the learning material. There’s no one right way to do it—some prefer tapping away on laptops or tablets, while others still swear by traditional pen and paper.
Ultimately, choosing between digital vs pen and paper note-taking comes down to personal preference. Let's take a look at the benefits of each method and how you can build your essential school supplies for college with SM Stationery.
Digital vs Handwritten Notes
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Digital Notetaking |
Handwritten Notetaking |
Digital tools often invite multitasking—between tabs, apps, and notifications, it’s easy to lose focus. Studies show that multitasking hurts memory and learning, especially during lectures or study sessions. In contrast, using notebooks helps promote full attention to one task. So, if you’ve ever asked, Do you need notebooks for college?—The answer might be yes, for the sake of focus alone. |
Handwriting helps you learn better because it engages more parts of your brain than typing does. When you write things down, you focus more, which makes it easier to remember what you’re learning. Studies say handwritten notes help you understand things better, especially when you’re summarizing or working through tricky topics. |
Relying on devices means dealing with low batteries, crashing apps, or laggy systems that can interrupt study flow. Traditional methods like pen and paper don’t depend on power or software, making them more reliable during exams, outdoor study sessions, or power outages. That’s why notebooks for college students remain a trusted part of their academic toolkit. |
Using pen and paper helps you stay away from distractions like notifications and apps. Without all the digital noise, it’s easier to concentrate. You get more mental space to pay attention to what you’re studying. |
Typing can feel automatic, especially when students copy down notes word-for-word without fully processing them. Writing by hand, however, takes more mental effort, encouraging students to think critically and summarize ideas. This is where choosing between a college notebook or binder matters—whichever format supports active engagement, that’s the one to stick with. |
Handwriting gives you more freedom to draw arrows, sketches, or quick side notes. It’s great for mapping out ideas or solving problems when your thoughts are still messy. Writing slowly also gives your brain time to think and come up with new ideas naturally. |
Writing by hand feels more personal. It makes you think about what you’re learning and can make things feel more meaningful. A lot of students say they understand things better when they write them in their own words and style. |
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Notebooks give you space to be yourself—doodles, colors, and your own handwriting all make your notes feel more you. This kind of freedom helps ideas come more easily and makes studying more fun and creative. |
Read more: Why Everyone Loves Japanese Stationery: A Closer Look at Our Best Picks
Write It Right: Essential Note-Taking Strategies for College
Tip #1: Try the Cornell Method to Keep Things Organized
Split your page into three parts: one for notes, another for cues, and one for summary. Jot down main ideas, use the margin for keywords, and wrap it up with a short summary at the bottom. It’s a solid way to stay organized and review faster.
Tip #2: Don’t Write Everything—Stick to the Big Ideas
Instead of copying everything word-for-word, focus on key points, examples, and themes. Arrows, symbols, and shortcuts help you keep up. This helps you think deeper and remember better.
Tip #3: Add Visuals to Help You Remember
Use charts, diagrams, and color to highlight important info like dates, formulas, or definitions. Good highlighters and a clear layout make your notes easier to study and remember later.
Top Paper Note-Taking Essentials for University Students
If you want to stay on top of your studies, having the right note-taking tools makes a big difference. SM Stationery has a bunch of great options that match how you like to learn. These are our must-have college essentials to help you focus better, stay creative, and remember lessons more easily.
1. Notebooks
For students who want structure and style, SM Stationery carries Kokuyo and Maruman notebooks in campus-style, dotted, and college-ruled spiral notebook formats. These are among the best notebooks for college note-taking, offering smooth paper and an organized layout for your notes.
You can also pick a flexible college binder notebook for flexibility, or go for a standard college notebook size that easily fits in your backpack. The ruled pages give you lots of space for clean notes—perfect for class or study sessions.
2. Pens and Highlighters
The right pen can make note-taking feel a lot easier. Try SM Stationery’s collection of gel pens for smooth and easy writing in fast-paced classes. Mix in some colored pen to highlight headings or categorize your subjects.
And don’t forget a good highlighter pen to help you find important key points in your notes quickly when you’re reviewing for an exam.
3. Sticky Notes and Planners
Sticky notes are great for extra reminders or marking pages. SM Stationery also has planners and to-do pads to help you stay on track with classes, deadlines, and exams. Use them with your favorite notebook to keep everything organized and stress-free when it’s time to study.
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The Takeaway
Even with all the tech tools out there, a lot of students still say that writing things down helps them learn better. From remembering more to staying focused, handwritten notes just work. If you’re putting together your college essentials in the Philippines, classic picks like notebooks, pens, and planners are still smart choices to keep you on track.
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You can also drop by SM Stationery’s first standalone store—Station by SM at SM Fairview for more options. Follow Station by SM on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Order from our Stationery Specialist through our online order form or call 0917-8STATIO (0917-8782846).
