binders vs notebooks? Forum

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tronyu

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binders vs notebooks?

Post by tronyu » Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:51 pm

I'm planning on taking notes on my laptop when I can, but as far as organizationally, what is better binders or notebooks? I've generally preferred binders for classes that are paper heavy because then I can put printed material, cases, etc., in with my notes in an organized way. But I'm wondering if binders are too much.

Any insight would be helpful.

blueapple

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Re: binders vs notebooks?

Post by blueapple » Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:11 pm

I found it really depended on the class. I used notebooks for most classes but there were 1 or 2 classes a year that were really paper-heavy and for those I used binders. For doctrinals where you're exclusively or almost exclusively using a casebook, you don't need a binder.

I would start with a notebook for each class and an 8-pocket folder (I used one folder like this for 4 classes: https://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Products- ... B004E2IOWQ) or you can just use an individual folder per class - I just found it easier to have everything in one place. If you find that one of your classes has a lot of printouts then you can start a binder.
Last edited by blueapple on Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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mjb447

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Re: binders vs notebooks?

Post by mjb447 » Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:18 pm

Agree with blueapple - it's going to depend a lot on your classes and your own personal preferences. Most classes probably won't have a ton of handouts or printed material provided by the prof., and most of the stuff you print on your own won't be particularly relevant in class for long, so a notebook is fine. Definitely took a few classes where a binder was ultimately required, but it's not where I would start (particularly for the item I'm lugging to class every day - having a binder or two at home with everything you've done throughout the semester is a different matter). Also, if you're the kind of person who feels 'safer' in class having everything at your fingertips, even stuff you did a week or two ago, you may want to start with a thin binder earlier.

Oh, also, if you do binders be sure they look exceptionally organized (maybe with some colored tabs and divider sections) to make your classmates nervous.

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dbalkaran

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Re: binders vs notebooks?

Post by dbalkaran » Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:31 pm

Did you guys find that it was easier to take notes in a notebook rather than on an iPad or laptop?

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