The Day I Failed a Test Because of My Laptop
Here's something I don't talk about often: I bombed my organic chemistry midterm in 2019, and I'm pretty sure my laptop was partially to blame.
I'd been typing notes all semester, capturing every word my professor said. My notes were beautiful—color-coded, organized, searchable. I felt so productive. But when exam day came? I couldn't remember half the concepts. My classmate who'd been scribbling in a beat-up notebook? She aced it.
That failure sent me down a rabbit hole of research and experimentation. Should you take notes by hand or laptop? It's a question every student faces, and honestly, the answer isn't as simple as picking a side and sticking with it.
I've spent the last five years testing both methods across different contexts—college lectures, graduate seminars, professional workshops, and even personal learning projects. What I've found might surprise you.
What the Research Actually Says (And Why It Matters)
Let me start with the science, because it's pretty eye-opening.
That famous Princeton study from 2014 found that students who took handwritten notes performed better on conceptual questions than laptop users. The laptop group could transcribe lectures almost verbatim, but they weren't really processing the information. Hand writers, forced to summarize and paraphrase (because writing is slower), engaged in deeper cognitive processing.
But here's where it gets interesting: Follow-up studies showed mixed results. Some found no significant difference. Others found that when students were specifically instructed NOT to transcribe word-for-word on laptops, the gap narrowed considerably.
The real issue isn't the tool itself—it's how we use it.
My Three-Month Experiment: Switching Between Both Methods
Last summer, I decided to test this systematically. I took an online course on data science (something completely new for me) and alternated my note-taking methods weekly.
Week 1: Handwritten notes in a spiral notebook
Week 2: Laptop notes in Notion
Week 3: Handwritten
Week 4: Laptop
I tracked my quiz scores, how long it took to review, and honestly, how I felt about the material. The results weren't what I expected. Neither method was objectively "better"—but each had specific situations where it absolutely crushed the other.
When Handwritten Notes Are Actually Better
From my experience, pen and paper wins in these specific scenarios:
1. Learning New, Complex Concepts
When I'm wrestling with something genuinely difficult, handwriting forces me to slow down. I can't mindlessly transcribe at 80 words per minute. I have to think about what I'm writing, which means I'm processing as I go.
During that data science course, my handwritten weeks consistently scored 15-20% higher on conceptual questions. Not a coincidence.
2. Math, Science, and Diagram-Heavy Subjects
Try typing out a chemical structure or a complex equation. It's painful. With paper, I can draw molecular diagrams, sketch graphs, and use arrows to show relationships. It takes about 10 seconds. On a laptop? You're either fighting with equation editors or giving up entirely.
I learned this the hard way in that organic chemistry class I mentioned earlier.
3. Remembering Names and Key Details
There's something about physically writing a person's name or an important date that helps it stick. I'm not 100% sure why (something about motor memory?), but I've noticed this consistently over the years.
4. Reducing Distractions
Let's be real: When your laptop is open, you're one click away from checking email, scrolling social media, or falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole. (I've done all three during lectures, multiple times.)
A notebook is just a notebook. That singular focus matters more than people admit.
5. Making Quick Sketches and Visual Connections
I'm a visual learner, and handwriting lets me create mind maps, draw connections between ideas with arrows, and doodle diagrams in the margins. These visual elements help me remember context in ways typed notes never could.
When Your Laptop Is the Better Choice
Now, here's my unpopular opinion: Handwritten notes are overrated for certain situations. Sometimes, your laptop is genuinely superior.
1. Fast-Paced Lectures With Dense Information
I once took a legal studies course where the professor spoke at approximately the speed of an auctioneer. There was no way I could capture everything by hand. My laptop let me get 90% of the content down, which I could review and synthesize later.
Yes, the initial retention might be slightly lower. But having comprehensive notes to study from? That mattered more for this particular class.
2. Searchable, Long-Term Reference Material
I've got notebooks from 2018 sitting in a box somewhere. Good luck finding that one specific thing I learned about statistical regression.
My laptop notes? I can search them in seconds. For information you need to reference repeatedly over months or years, digital wins. Not even close.
3. Collaborative Note-Taking
During group projects or study sessions, being able to share notes instantly through Google Docs or Notion is incredibly valuable. You can't really do that with handwritten notes (unless you're scanning and sharing, which adds extra steps).
4. When You Need to Integrate Multiple Sources
If I'm researching a topic and pulling information from articles, videos, and textbooks, having everything in one digital space makes synthesis so much easier. I can copy quotes, paste links, and organize everything without rewriting.
5. Editing and Reorganizing Your Notes
Handwritten notes are linear. Once you write something, moving it requires arrows, asterisks, and sometimes complete rewrites on a new page. Digital notes let you reorganize, add sections, and restructure as your understanding evolves.
This flexibility is *really* valuable for complex subjects where your understanding deepens over time.
The Comparison: Side by Side
| Factor | Handwritten Notes | Laptop Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Retention | Higher (forces processing) | Lower (easier to transcribe mindlessly) |
| Speed | Slower (20-30 words/min) | Faster (60-80 words/min) |
| Searchability | Poor (unless digitized) | Excellent |
| Diagrams/Math | Easy and natural | Difficult without special tools |
| Distraction Risk | Very low | High |
| Organization | Fixed, linear | Flexible, reorganizable |
| Backup/Sharing | Requires scanning | Instant and easy |
| Cost | $5-15 per semester | $300-1000+ (initial investment) |
Common Misconceptions I've Encountered
Let me clear up some myths I hear constantly from students:
"Handwritten Notes Are Always Better for Learning"
Not true. The benefit comes from the processing you do while taking notes, not the physical act of writing. If you're mindfully summarizing and synthesizing on a laptop, you'll retain information just fine.
The problem is that laptops make it too easy to transcribe without thinking. But that's a discipline issue, not a technology issue.
"You Can't Draw or Sketch on Laptops"
This used to be true. Not anymore. With iPads, Surface tablets, and apps like Notability or GoodNotes, you can handwrite digitally and get the best of both worlds. I started using an iPad with Apple Pencil in 2022, and honestly, it's changed everything for me.
(Though I'll admit, there's still something satisfying about pen on paper that a stylus doesn't quite replicate.)
"Digital Notes Get Lost or Deleted"
I've actually lost more physical notebooks than digital files. Sure, technology can fail, but with cloud backup through services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Notion, your notes are probably safer digitally than that notebook you left in a coffee shop.
My Current Hybrid Approach (What Actually Works)
After all this experimentation, I've landed on a hybrid system that adapts to different situations. Here's what I do:
For initial learning: Handwritten notes in class or during videos. This forces me to process information actively.
For review and synthesis: I transfer key concepts to digital notes (usually Notion or Obsidian). This review process is actually a second round of learning, and I end up with searchable, organized notes.
For fast-paced or technical content: Laptop notes during the session, then handwritten summaries later for retention.
For math and science: Always handwritten, no exceptions. I've tried digital equation editors, and they just slow me down.
This might sound like extra work, and I guess it is. But the dual processing—once during the lecture, once during transfer—actually improves my retention significantly.
Tools I Actually Use (And Some I've Abandoned)
Let me share what's in my current note-taking toolkit:
For Handwritten Notes:
Notebooks: I'm basic here—just Five Star spiral notebooks ($3-5 each). They're cheap, durable, and I don't feel precious about messing them up.
Pens: Pilot G2 0.7mm. I've tried fancy pens, but honestly, these work great and cost about $2 each.
For digital handwriting: iPad (9th generation, around $329) with Apple Pencil. Apps I use: Notability ($15/year) and GoodNotes ($8 one-time). Both are excellent.
For Laptop Notes:
Notion (free for students): My main system for organized, searchable notes. The learning curve is real, but it's worth it.
Google Docs (free): For collaborative notes and group projects. Simple and universal.
Obsidian (free): I switched to this recently for connecting ideas across different subjects. The linking features are powerful for building knowledge networks.
Tools I've Abandoned:
Evernote: Used to be great back in 2015-2018, but they've had so many changes and pricing issues that I moved away. It's not bad, just not what it used to be.
Microsoft OneNote: Too cluttered for my taste. I know some people love it, but I couldn't make it work for me.
Pro Tips From Years of Trial and Error
Here are some things I wish someone had told me earlier:
1. Use the 24-hour review rule: Whether handwritten or typed, review your notes within 24 hours. This consolidates memory and helps you catch gaps while the lecture is still fresh.
2. Date everything: Seems obvious, but I've lost track of context so many times because I didn't date my notes. Now it's automatic.
3. Leave white space: Don't cram notes together. Leave margins and gaps for additions, clarifications, and connections you'll make later.
4. Use your own words: This is honestly the most important thing. Whether typing or writing, if you're just copying verbatim, you're wasting your time.
5. Develop a shorthand system: I use "w/" for "with," "b/c" for "because," arrows for "leads to," etc. This speeds up handwriting without sacrificing comprehension.
What About Tablets? The Middle Ground
I mentioned this briefly, but it deserves its own section. Digital handwriting on tablets has improved dramatically in the past few years.
The iPad with Apple Pencil or Samsung Galaxy Tab with S Pen gives you handwritten notes that are searchable, backed up, and organizeable. You get the cognitive benefits of writing with the practical advantages of digital.
I could be wrong, but I think this is where note-taking is heading for most students. The technology is finally good enough that you're not sacrificing much compared to pen and paper.
The main downside? Cost. You're looking at $300-600 for a decent tablet setup. That's a real barrier for many students.
The Real Answer: It Depends on Your Learning Style
Here's the thing: After all this research and experimentation, I've realized there's no universal "right" answer to whether you should take notes by hand or laptop.
Some people genuinely learn better with one method over the other. Some people (like me) need different methods for different situations.
What matters most isn't the tool—it's being intentional about how you use it.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Are you actively processing information, or just copying?
- Can you stay focused with a laptop open, or do you get distracted?
- Do you need to reference these notes long-term, or just for an upcoming test?
- Does the subject involve lots of diagrams, equations, or visual elements?
- How fast does information come at you in class?
Your honest answers to these questions matter more than any study or expert opinion.
My Recommendation: Try Both Deliberately
If you're unsure which method works better for you, here's what I suggest:
Pick one class this semester and alternate methods each week. Actually pay attention to how you feel, how much you retain, and how useful the notes are for studying.
Track your quiz or test scores if possible. Notice which method makes review easier. Be honest about distractions and engagement.
After a month, you'll know what works for you in that context. Then adapt as needed for different classes.
This experimentation changed how I approach learning, and I think it could help you too.
Final Thoughts: The Best Method Is the One You'll Actually Use
I've spent a lot of words comparing these methods, but frankly, the best note-taking system is the one you'll stick with consistently.
If you love your laptop and take excellent notes digitally, great. Keep doing that. If you're a notebook person who reviews handwritten notes religiously, perfect. Don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong.
The worst note-taking method is the one that stays in your backpack, unused, because it doesn't fit your style or workflow.
That organic chemistry test I failed? I learned my lesson. Now I handwrite notes for complex science classes, type for information-dense humanities lectures, and use my iPad for everything else. It's not elegant, but it works.
Your system will probably look different. That's exactly how it should be.
Start experimenting, pay attention to what actually works, and adjust accordingly. Your future self (the one studying for finals) will thank you.
Related Resources
If you found this comparison helpful, you might also want to check out guides on effective study techniques, how to review notes efficiently, and strategies for different learning styles. Building a complete learning system goes beyond just note-taking—it's about finding what helps you retain and apply information most effectively.
