Why I went Paperless
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For as long as I can remember, I have been using a pen and paper to take notes, making lists, doing homework, etc. Probably the most useful tools in the world thinking about it. Recording our writings for access later and the ability to translate what we have in our head onto something physical.
Every year, I’d buy a dozen notebooks (most of which I don’t even fill) to take notes and get work done. I’d also buy sticky notes for reminders, agenda to help myself keep track of my work, paper for working. Amazingly, I’d be spending a lot of time and money on paper. Until a few months ago.
About two years ago, I got an iPad for myself. Simply to watch Netflix, YouTube, nothing special, just thought that it would be fun to have. I recently got an Apple Pencil because I wanted to see that if I could use my iPad with the Apple Pencil as the only things that I bring to lectures. This helps keep everything organized, minimal and honestly, brings down the weight of my bag significantly.
The app that I use on my iPad its Notability which has many different options and features. Its worked great for me has every tool that I would normally have in my pencil case plus more, very easy to use, and keeps all my notes for ALL my courses organized. In fact, because I am able to quickly remove any mistakes that I made, reorganized my writing, and again, many different tools and paper options, I like it more than I ever did a notebook. Personally, I make a lot of mistakes when writing (and for some reason, only like to use a pen) so this helps keep my notes clean and organized. To add, I am able to record my lectures in the app, add photos that are related to my lectures. I have no complaints using this app and will continue to use it for a long time.
Going paperless with the iPad + Apple Pencil + Notability can be very expensive to replace a notebook, but it’s worth it in the long run. I no longer have to buy notebooks, my iPad is used for more than just taking notes and I’ve never been more organized in my life. I find that I don’t even bring my laptop to lectures anymore simply because I do not need it. During a lecture, other than taking notes, the only other thing that I use my laptop for is looking something up on the internet (and maybe some social media browsing when I get bored). My laptop has become something I use when I need to use specific programs. In fact, I’d love to replace my laptop with just my iPad if I could, but not there just yet.
Do I miss the old paper and pencil? Not at all. I find that the Apple Pencil does a good job mimicking my handwriting, I find it comfortable to use, the battery life is long enough and even when it dies and it charges quite quickly. So I don’t intend to switch back to pen and paper for as long as I can. I find that going paperless is easier, convenient and quite honestly, I’d recommend it to everyone. My academic life is simplified and that’s was the goal.
