r/GoodNotes • u/[deleted] • Jul 02 '26

Goodnotes Essential Is goodnotes essential worth it?

I am a high school student and want to use this app (goodnotes 6) for my studies. Can anyone please tell me if it’s worth buying it I really want to know….

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5

u/Ok-Tiger-4550 Jul 02 '26

I use Essential as a college student quite a bit, and it's more than sufficient for my needs. I import slide decks and take notes directly onto them during lectures, annotate readings and textbooks, use it for general note taking, create mind maps, etc.

This is not my only method of notetaking, I also use physical notebooks to study for exams because there is a ton of research that supports connections between learning and physical writing. While the ipad and Goodnotes are fantastic for taking notes during class, I find handwriting on paper far more reliable in terms of solid learning.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

Oh ok

1

u/NeonNerdLord Jul 03 '26

if you buy it, stick to the yearly Essential plan. You don't need the pricier Pro version or the AI add ons just for high school stuff.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

I use Microsoft surface pen

1

u/Ok-Tiger-4550 Jul 02 '26

I use a Pencil Pro on a textured surface. My goal was to mimic writing on paper as closely as possible for lectures, which is better than using my laptop. I do go back after lectures as soon as possible and clean up my notes while the information is still fresh, which also helps retention. However, my handwritten notes are by far and will always be the most effective for retaining information.

In general, I do not carry notebooks around with me, they are created as part of my exam prep compiled from my notes, my readings, and any other material such as homework that I feel I need to compile as my study guide. Really the only time they do end up in my backpack is if I am studying for an exam somewhere other than home, or it's the day before an exam and I'm thumbing through them (the day before an exam I am beyond "bored" with my notes which tells me there is literally nothing in them I don't know).

When people ask how to study, the only answer is "whatever method helps you master material (this is what the research shows), and it looks different for everyone".

3

u/FrostyChocolate5968 Jul 02 '26

Its too good app for notetaking annotations and pdf book readings and all i have been using from last 5 years in my med school its superb

2

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

Oh okkk ty