“Over the years, I have observed that students who take notes in any form tend to be those who are the most engaged in every aspect of the learning process,” said Julie Dwyer, teaching professor and chair of education. “They know what works best for them as a learner, so I trust them to engage with the course material in the way that is the most supportive for their learning process.”

No matter how a student is taking notes, she said, that student is still the most engaged in the learning process.

Physical therapy student Caitlyn Lupia ’29, DPT ’32, has a note-taking method that she considers the most efficient while simultaneously aiding her information retention.
“I take notes by writing on my iPad and also on paper,” Lupia said.

While she is utilizing technological devices and digital applications to take notes, she recognizes that she is still activating the same part of her brain that works when she writes her notes by hand. Then, by the time she takes an exam for chemistry or biology, she studies by rewriting her digital notes as flashcards.

“This extensive process of note-taking is time-consuming,” Lupia acknowledged, but “the more effort I put in my notes, the more successful I am.”