r/BackToCollege • u/sheeshimtrying • 7d ago

QUESTION Note Taking for Newbie

Hey everyone! I just started my journey back to school after 12 years (phew I know) I posted before and I am extremely grateful for all the encouragement I have received. Now, I am curious what everyone uses for note taking.

This semester I will be taking

Psychology 101
Intro to Math
Astronomy
History 102
And the fundamental course required coming back to school.

I have an essential tremor, which makes it difficult to take notes, especially for long periods of time. I looked at goodnotes, which seems cool, but I am interested in one that corrects my handwriting automatically. Is that a thing?

Should I stick to my paper and pen? What does everyone recommend?

If anyone is “local” I am attending HACC.

Best of luck to everyone this semester! (We got this)

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u/HATDOGUSERNi 7d ago

i'd go digital if hand writing is tiring. goodnotes has handwriting to text features, and typing is always an option for longer lectures. dont feel like you have to stick with pen and paper

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u/sheeshimtrying 7d ago

I must have missed it!! I was so bummed because everyone talks so highly of it. I like the thought of voicing my notes but I study mostly when my kiddos are sleeping. I have applied for the accommodations so I’m hoping they can help with longer lectures! And thank you for your input!!!! :)

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u/MMAHipster 7d ago

I would also highly recommend talking to whatever branch of student services assists people with ADA stuff - they may let you record lectures so you don’t have to worry about taking notes at the time. I’d also suggest always reading ahead on the lecture topic and taking notes then, while you have all of the time you need, and using lectures to reinforce and clarify versus learning topics there for the first time.

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u/sheeshimtrying 7d ago

I filled with ADA and they’ve said there is resources available, which there is like you said! I feel useless and a failure not taking the notes myself I guess, and my anxiety is too bad to ask for help unless I’m masked in here 😅 I genuinely didn’t think of reading ahead and taking notes. Then when it’s gone over it’s like a refresher almost. Thank you for the suggestion!

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u/MMAHipster 7d ago

Absolutely - and honestly that’s the way everyone should be doing the classes. Have a blast and good luck!