As laptops become increasingly common in classrooms, the debate between handwritten and typed notes continues among students.
Some say typing notes offers convenience and accessibility, while others believe writing by hand helps strengthen their memory and understanding.
After taking a poll of numerous first-year students at Elizabethtown College, there is a clear preference for handwritten notes, though some students still favor the speed and convenience of typing.
First-year mechanical engineering major Nick Powell prefers typing notes, explaining the accessibility as a main benefit. Having notes stored digitally allows him to review them easily whenever needed.
“I definitely prefer typed notes, mostly due to their ease of access,” Powell said. “Having everything online and available to access at a moment’s notice makes a huge difference when cramming for a test or trying to study while traveling.”
However, the majority of students said that writing notes by hand helps them better retain information during lectures and while studying.
First-year civil engineering major Jiovany Garcia said the physical act of writing helps reinforce what he learns in class.
“Honestly I prefer handwritten notes because I find it much easier to fully remember what I wrote,” Garcia said.
Bella Napoliello, a first-year occupational therapy major, agreed that handwriting notes improves memorization.
“I definitely prefer handwritten notes better because I can memorize better that way,” Napoliello said.
For some students, handwritten notes also make recalling information during exams easier. First-year neuroscience major Charvi Goswami said writing notes helps her review material more clearly later on.
“I am able to recall them at a much faster rate and more clearly in comparison to typed notes,” Goswami said.
Similarly, first-year occupational therapy major Emma Leo said the act of physically writing information helps her commit it to memory.
“The act of writing down the words helps me to commit it to memory,” Leo said.
The results of this week’s debate poll highlight a broader conversation among students about how there are differences in how we learn and how technology affects our habits. While laptops may allow students to record information quickly and store notes digitally, students widely show that handwritten notes help them improve comprehension and retention.
At the same time, typing notes may offer advantages for students who prefer organization, searchability and the ability to study across multiple devices and while traveling. Digital notes also may be easier to edit and share with classmates.
Through this poll, it reflects and illustrates the variety of approaches students take when developing study habits during their first year of college.
As students continue adjusting to college level courses and coursework, many experiment with different methods to determine what helps them learn best. For some, this means relying on technology to stay organized, while for others, sticking with pen and paper remains the most effective approach to notetaking.
The handwritten versus typed notes debate may not have a definitive answer, but one thing is clear, when it comes to taking notes, the best method is often the one that works best for helping the individual student succeed.
