Is it better to type or write notes in law school?
Asked by: Ms. Gudrun Carroll Sr. | Last update: October 27, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (30 votes)
Many law students type up notes, but studies have shown that sticking to old-school pen and paper can seriously improve your retention of the material discussed. In fact, it was found that laptop users performed worse academically and felt less fulfilled (and more "disconnected") from their
Is it better to type or write notes in college?
We conclude that handwritten notes are more useful for studying and committing to memory than typed notes, ultimately contributing to higher achievement for college students. I personally recommend professors and instructors take note of this.
Is it better to type or write meeting notes?
The science says, computer notetaking is inferior to handwritten notes. You'll get better participation and better meeting notes, leading to better meeting outcomes.
Is it better to type or write notes to remember?
Scientists say writing information down instead of typing it out on a computer can be more beneficial for our brains as it helps us learn and remember information better.
Are handwritten notes better than typing?
A recent study in Frontiers in Psychology monitored brain activity in students taking notes and found that those writing by hand had higher levels of electrical activity across a wide range of interconnected brain regions responsible for movement, vision, sensory processing and memory.
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What are the disadvantages of handwritten notes?
- Inefficiency: Writing by hand is generally slower than typing, which can be a hindrance in fast-paced environments.
- Storage and Organization: Physical notes can accumulate, become disorganized, and are susceptible to damage or loss.
Is writing better for the brain than typing?
Handwriting may boost brain connections more than typing does. Using a pen or pencil to write boosts brain connectivity, which suggests handwriting might help with learning.
Is it better to take notes on computer or write?
Student Preferences: Many students prefer digital note-taking for its efficiency. However, some acknowledge that it can lead to distractions and a superficial understanding of lecture material. Benefits of Longhand Note-Taking: Handwritten notes are linked to better information processing and retention.
Why can't I retain information when I study?
If you consume too many pieces of knowledge too fast, your short-term memory might be fine but in the long run, there won't be value as you'll forget all the key pieces of information. Testing your retention, also known as retrieval practice, is a technique that can help learners better retain information.
Is it better to write or type thoughts?
Comparing handwriting vs. typing, you're more exposed to critical thinking when you write by hand than when you type. Handwriting allows you to think more thoroughly about the information you're recording. It encourages you to expand upon your thoughts and form connections between them.
Is it quicker to write or type?
Typing may be faster than writing by hand, but it's less stimulating for the brain, according to research published Friday in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Should you write notes during lectures?
The role of note-taking in lectures
Notes aren't just a passive record of lecture content, they help you actively select and process that learning in your own terms so you retain and understand it better. You might think of your notes as your own running commentary on a lecture, rather than just a record of it.
What is the professional way to say meeting notes?
What Is the Professional Way to Say Meeting Notes? Professionally meeting notes are called “meeting minutes”. Despite the name they're not meant to be a minute by minute record but a summary of the main points, decisions and tasks.
What are the pros and cons of note-taking?
Advantages: Organized if done correctly, shows relationships, reduces editing, easy to review by turning main points into questions. Disadvantages: Takes more thought in class or rewriting later, cannot be used if the lecture is fast, must have time to organize.
Is the pen mightier than the keyboard?
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that using a pen promotes greater learning and memory retention than using a keyboard, because the controlled hand movements stimulate brain connectivity patterns.
Does note-taking improve grades?
Taking additional notes also increases exam scores. Taking two pages of notes per chapter covered on an exam, again the class median, compared to none increases the respective exam score by over half of a standard deviation.
Why is nothing entering my brain when I study?
One of the biggest causes of mental blocks is a lack of focus and feeling overwhelmed. If you're feeling tired, stressed, or anxious this can all contribute to a lack of motivation. Throughout your studies it can be easy to compare yourself to others, but you shouldn't.
How long can you study before your brain stops retaining information?
Research on the forgetting curve shows that within 1 hour, learners forget an average of 50% of the information presented; within 24 hours, they forget an average of 70% of new information; and within a week, they forget up to 90% of what they "learned."
What is the best time to study and memorize?
That said, science has indicated that learning is most effective between 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm, when the brain is in an acquisition mode. On the other hand, the least effective learning time is between 4 am and 7 am.
Is it better to type or write notes in university?
Research indicates that physically writing notes on paper is the clear winner. Yes, writing by hand is a slower task, but it makes it so that students have to be more selective in what they're writing.
Is it better to take handwritten notes or typed notes?
Research and evidence show that handwriting has been linked to effective memory recall. Though handwriting is seen as time-consuming, evidence has shown that taking longhand notes (words written out fully by hand) allows for better short and long-term memory recall as these notes are in your own words and handwriting.
Is writing better than typing for learning?
In adults, taking notes by hand during a lecture, instead of typing, can lead to better conceptual understanding of material. "There's actually some very important things going on during the embodied experience of writing by hand," says Ramesh Balasubramaniam, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Merced.
Do students prefer typing or writing?
There have been studies that showed that students who write their notes on paper lean more than those who type their notes out according to the National Institute of Health. Caitlin McDonnell (12) prefers to write on paper because she likes the way writing feels and she is faster at writing than typing.
Does writing slow cognitive decline?
The connection between creative writing and cognitive health isn't just theoretical. Research supports this claim, showing that seniors who engage in writing activities demonstrate improved memory function, better mood states, and a slower rate of cognitive decline.
Is cursive more ergonomic?
Handwrite rather than print. Large, cursive style writing causes less strain than printing small letters. Select large diameter pens and pencils or use rubber grips to reduce gripping force. Place Leaf-It-Finger dots or grips on fingers to increase friction.