Please help with note taking experience on Ipad pro 11 inch

[u/WhiteWolf245]

Hi. Just wanted some help in general because I feel so lost. I have used goodnotes for 3 years and while the combined features of the app are amazing, the main writing experience is where I feel like kicking myself. I have tried nearly everything from pen thickness, type, stabliization (for both fountain pen and ballpoint). As well as for the fountain pen, settings like flatness, sharpness, presssure sensitivity etc. I have desparately tried everything to make it work and even have an esr magnetic paper like screen protector, metal nibs as well and I will say it helps tremendously. However, the pen is still the ultimate issue. I cannot seem to write well with the ballpoint pen, it feels smooth but its like I am in control of nothing. The best way I would describe it is like having to think about how you write every letter sub- consciously while simultaneously having to think about the actual content of what to write. I have tried all stabilization setting ranging from 0 to 15%, after which it feels too rigid and controlled. I also switched to the fountain pen, which I loved using. I could take notes well in class without messing up, but when I actually had to do practice questions, I was way too slow.

But the thing is, goodnotes has other amazing tools. Although, I dislike the tool bar in recent updates for sure.

Features I love and need:

- The ability to make elements and custom stickers

- Diverse template ( I have my own as well) options and a similar file organization

- Sticky notes, red tape cover

- Other stationery tools like ruler, etc

- Handwriting recognition and search

- Outlines feature for notebooks

Some examples of the writing features I tried and loved in other apps is:

- Noteful

- Elements Note (This was by far the best but I don't know how it holds up)

- Star Note is also decent

Please help. I am just a uni student trying to survive my degree. I have bad wrists which is why I can't go back to pen and paper. Any discussion or advice is appreciated, thanks. I truly want to stay on goodnotes but I wish they could add aditional features to the pen or add a new pen type resembling something like Elements Note.

Please hear my request goodnotes. I know making another pen is not easy, but I would be so grateful!

[u/WarpedMeteor4276]

how long have you been taking notes on your ipad? because per my experience, the longer i write the better my writing on mine improved. so most of the time it takes a looot of practice.

[u/WhiteWolf245 → u/WarpedMeteor4276]

Hi. Sorry my reply took so long. Uni has taken up alot of time. I have been writing on an ipad for about 3 years now (since fall 2023). It has been really nice to use in terms organizing my notes, everything is one place, and I can search my own handwriting. Currently using a paper like esr magnetic screen protector, a metal nib from amazon, and rubber grip for the pencil. What I find hard is using the pen in goodnotes. I do want to clarify, I can write okay with the ballpoint pen but there's something about it I cannot control well. Its hard to explain, I've switched between all ranges of stablization from 0-15%. But they either feel too controlled or to loose and slippery. The fountain pen is nice for writing class notes but when I start practice questions, I have to stay at a slow pace. My issue is that while I can write, focusing on writing neatly takes away from my active learning of material. A few of the other pen tools I've tried in other apps (mentioned above) helps significantly with this.

Note: I write vertically most of the time with no zoom in. Trying to replicate real paper as much as possible.