For students at USC, one of the only ways to retain information during a class is to take notes. From Spanish to physics and even advertising, note taking is essential for student success in every course. After all, it is important to have study material to be able to review as midterms and even finals looms closer.
During a lecture, especially in a large auditorium, the clicking of keys might be audible as the professor teaches. These lecture halls are never quiet, as sometimes hundreds of students might be frantically typing to jot down every little idea. Even though typing notes is convenient, students should prioritize handwriting their notes in order to better their brain.
Let's face it, laptops are a gateway to every distraction imaginable. According to a study by Harvard University, "college students used technology for a non-class related purpose 11.7 times during 21% of total class time." Switching tabs might be easy but missing out on key class material due to distractions becomes an even easier habit.
Taking notes on a laptop might mean being able to have access to text messages, social media and even classwork for another course. The euphoric rush that comes with completing the NYT Mini, Wordle and Connections during class is something that might be too familiar for some students. As these games grab students attention through the computer screen, they fall to the common fate of multitasking - and before students try, it almost never works.
Furthermore, handwriting notes helps students brain's encode information, according to Learning Scientist. As a student physically writes on a piece of paper, they tend to paraphrase and make the information more meaningful to their individual note taking. This creates deeper processing, helping the brain remember the content in the first place.
When writing out words, students' focus is pulled to what they're doing with the information. This means that students might be more likely to remember the content as the notes they are taking are tangible. When going back and rereading it, the brain might already have connected with the motor-skill of writing it down.
Students who also write their notes might have better test scores than students who type them because it is better for conceptual mastery. Knowing the material is one thing, but fully understanding the material is completely different. Students must fully understand the concepts of course information in order to do well on exams. Handwriting notes will only aid that fact.
Higher exam scores might lead to a higher GPA overall. Students with better note-taking are found to have a high grade point average, according to a study published by the International Journal of Instruction. This is due to the fact that handwriting notes requires active listening, which can help students retain information long-term. Typing notes can take this sense of engagement in class away as students might become more focused on the words they put on the computer rather than what their professor is saying.
In conclusion, students at USC spend a lot of time in lectures. Even though it can be a helpful way for professors to teach a subject, different note taking strategies might seem more meticulous than others.Computers might be convenient and fast. Everything a student might need for school is on their computer.
However, for the second half of spring semester, students should prioritize handwriting their notes in order to retain information better and be the best student possible.