27/10/2026
Does it matter whether you type your notes or write them by hand?
With the end of the year approaching and exams just around the corner, many students are spending more time reviewing their notes, revisiting course material, and preparing for assessments.
It's a good time to think about whether the way you're taking and using notes is actually helping you learn.
Handwriting can encourage you to slow down and think about what you're recording. Because you generally can't write as quickly as you can type, you're more likely to summarise information in your own words rather than simply copying everything down.
Digital notes, on the other hand, make it easier to organise large amounts of information, search for specific topics, update your notes, and access them across different devices.
Neither approach is automatically better for everyone, and you don't necessarily have to choose one over the other.
For example, you might use digital notes to organise your subject material throughout the semester, then switch to handwriting when creating revision summaries, drawing diagrams, or working through practice questions.
Whatever method you prefer, remember that simply reading through pages of notes isn't always the most effective way to prepare for an exam.
Try turning your notes into questions, testing yourself without looking at the answers, or explaining key concepts in your own words. These activities help you identify what you understand and what still needs more attention.
As exams approach, don't just focus on how much material you've collected. Think about how you're using it to prepare.
Think productivity, think Blue Ink.
