Truth about Digital Note Taking vs Paper Notes (PROS/CONS)

The truth about digital note-taking vs paper notes (after experimenting and testing digital notes)
👇🏼 Links and details below ↴
I spent some time testing out digital note-taking methods to see how it compares to paper notes. I am surprised (+ not so surprised) at some of the findings and sharing the pros and cons of digital notes in this video. If you're considering making the switch to digital note-taking, I hope this video helps you in some way : )
Much love,
M
👀 What to watch next:
→ Daily Planner (BUJO) Spread that Works: • Minimalist Bullet Jour...
→ 5 Ways to Get Focused: • 5 Ways to Get Focused ...
→ Minimalist Desk Setup: • Korean Style Desk Setu...
🌟 Products I use daily for productivity/studying/work:
→ iPad: iPad Air 4 10.9" in Sky Blue; 64 GB: www.apple.com/ca/ipad-air/
→ Leuchtturm Notebook: amzn.to/3ifnhgt
→ Pen for Bullet Journal: amzn.to/2ZCzm8Z
→ Pastel Highlighters: amzn.to/3EXrIGw
→ Wireless pink keyboard: amzn.to/3C4khKJ
→ Wireless pink mouse: amzn.to/3n8PbgN
→ Wireless pink keyboard and mouse combo: amzn.to/30i5ob8
→ iPad Case: amzn.to/3GzcMz6
→ iPad Sleeve: amzn.to/3bBkI4J
→ Apple Pen 2: www.apple.com/ca/apple-pencil/
→ Apple Pencil Sleeve: amzn.to/3pMbH0M
→ Wooden laptop stand: amzn.to/3c3G5LU
Note: some of these are affiliate links and I do receive a small commission at no additional cost to you!
🎵 Music
→ Naomi - If Love is the Answer - thmatc.co/?l=6991BA2C

[@heyminn]

Which do you prefer? Digital notes or paper notes? ☺️

[@heyminn]

Then I’d say… test it out and see what you like! :)

[@syakirikhwanbinsaide2196]

I think digital notes are better because I always lose my paper notes, but with digital notes, I can save them in the cloud. However, for things like final exams, paper notes are still necessary.

[@aussiegruber86]

My ipad had an issue 10min into an important meeting the other week....so now I take pen and paper

[@kachraseth322]

I liked how you stayed true about digital note taking. The major con of digital note taking is that as you stare at the backlit screen it just adds up to eye fatigue whether you use true tone or not. Also memory retention is lot better in pen and paper notes. The only advantage is convenience. While it's good for many but I would not suggest it for academics. As a doctor I too had many books, notes and apps all on iPad but now switched my notes to pen and paper. The lengthier staring sessions made my eyes burn also might affect your eyesight. If you are the one who gets distracted easily by notifications better avoid it.

[@SimonBauer7]

the con of physical notes is that you have to carry paper around and that consumes space and weight. my back thanks me every f...ing day for switching to digital but everything has its pros and cons i guess

[@davefink2326]

Eye fatigue is a real thing. Backlit devices accelerate it. Have you considered e-ink note taking devices to leverage handwriting, digital storage, and ease of use? A bit pricier than tablets but it might be what you're looking for.

[@norinori3036]

@@davefink2326 Yes I am a doctor too, and if I have budget I would definitely choose that thing over tablet because I have quiet sensitive eyes :(

[@davefink2326]

@@norinori3036 Also, E-Ink notetaking tablets fix some other conventional tablet drawbacks: you enjoy VERY long battery life - a whole week or more between charges; special screen material and stylus that mimics feel of lead pencil on paper; ability to see the screen in sunlight or darkness; minimal distractions from video- or social media apps; much lighter weight and thinner than similar-sized conventional tablets. KZbin channel "Good E-reader" reviews all the devices. My current note-taking routine - for short stints, such as brief lectures, I jot notes right on the e-ink screen. For longer sessions, or business settings where the screen presence is inappropriate, I make notes on paper. later I scan those paper notes into the e-ink tablet (and an app called Evernote, which actually recognizes my handwriting and indexes every word for later searchability.) I can then mark up or manipulate the notes, jot drawings and paste graphics from other sources, rearrange sections, and so on. This can make later review more interactive and splices all this into my memory better.

[@spacemanjohn]

For my ipad I consider it a notebook so I don't download any social media. It's better that way and convenient for your concentration.

[@macdonaldnnadi]

I think it's the opposite for me of the "perfection" con. Since you can always go back, I don't focus on trying to make it perfect the first time. In my downtime, I could go back just to make things more fluid but when I'm note-taking, I'm note-taking. I'm not doing an art project.

[@rue2599]

Here are 5 solutions to common Ipad notetaking issues: 1. Digital distractions----download an app blocker. 2. Blue light intensity-----turn on reading mode and wear blue light filter glasses. Look away from your screen for a minute after every 15 minutes. 3. Battery life---carry a portable power bank. 4. Loss of concentration----take notes against a white background with blue highlights. Blue is psychologically associated with focus. 5. Possibility of lacking knowledge retention----Don't eliminate pen and paper entirely *if traditional notetaking works for you*, otherwise revise and review effectively and your digital notes will be as good as paper notes.

[@heyminn]

Thanks for mentioning these! Been using a combo of digital and analog but mostly digital ❤️ will keep these in mind!!

[@sls4170]

Wouldn’t the screen protector that feels like you’re writing on paper help with lack of retention?

[@2kute2luv]

Thank you for touching on the writing experience. That was my concern as well. Glad to hear the screen protector is a viable option and good to know the benefits outweigh the cons.

[@hannacaa]

Really great video, I'm about to embark on the journey of switching to digital, so appreciate it a lot!🤩

[@fanawane6650]

I appreciate the effort you put into creating this video. I used to believe that digital note-taking wasn't for me because I easily get distracted and spend too much time trying to make the notes look neat and perfect. It's true!

[@gabriellabonomi4852]

This is my greatest struggle in years, I find myself back and forth between paper and digital, so stressful!! So you're permanently with digital note taking? Anyway, great points, insightful and different from usual!

[@heyminn]

Hi Gabriella!! Yes that was definitely something I contemplated for a long time as well. I’m enjoying the digital notes so far but I’ll continue to use paper for things like mind maps, and concept maps :)

[@googleuser2355]

Thanks, After your video I know what i needed to know. I am sticking with my lovely papers. :)

[@TheBarbieBella]

You deserve more likes and subscribers!you are so organic and simple but practical💕

[@TheBarbieBella]

Owned iPad Pro for about a year and I still prefer physical notes 🥲

[@heyminn]

Thank you so much for your kind words nabilah!!!! 😭😍 that’s so nice of you. I’ll keep posting helpful content :)) hehe

[@heyminn]

Did you find that it took you way longer to do digital notes? Love physical notes though, I think I’ll incorporate it into my routine soon too 🙋🏻‍♀️😬

[@TheBarbieBella]

@@heyminn oh yes definitely!I kinda gave up eventually on digital note taking as it doesn’t seem fun to me. Ill use my ipad just for digital illustration and KZbin-ing. 😌

[@heyminn]

@@TheBarbieBella it’s so fun drawing on iPad though I will admit. Do you use procreate for illustrations? Or illustrator? 😍

[@emjeez8242]

Not only medical or nursing students needs digital note taking even other course like me taking painfully in Accounting really helps me a lot. Love ur vid❤

[@jemima2222]

i like paper notes as it helps me to remember stuff more, but im going to use my ipad for probably religion notes and other apps for helping me to learn languages etc. it just saves so much paper. like when learning kanji i can find online free templates to practice which i can use over and over forever but i cant with paper

[@heyminn]

I realized I like the combo of both! I agree with you, helps remember things better I Find ❤️

[@ladymallowyt]

This was a good video. I carry my phone with me literally everywhere, so having access to my notes at all times without having to carry around a notebook is a pro for me. I'm thinking about using my ipad to take notes and also using paper flash cards. I would like to eliminate the stacks of notebooks I have since I'm trying to be more minimalistic

[@sls4170]

Agreed! I’m trying to move towards more minimalism. How has it been working for you?

[@makislog]

thanks, that's helpful!

[@ThePopculturestud]

Are you still enjoying digital notetaking and what app do you use?

[@SamanthaCorrie18]

If I had the money, I would have spent that to digital notes but for now, paper is the way to go

[@heyminn]

Paper notes is so good too 😍

[@SimonBauer7]

you dont have to get an ipad or surface for it though go look at samsungs or other android tablets (people complain about the app ecosystem but you are only going to be using one app anyways so who cares)

[@Bacteria123]

Exactly 💯

[@justincosplay]

Have you checked the Supernote for note taking such a great distraction free device.

[@heyminn]

Ooh no but I will look into this!! Thank you!!!

[@kaths_rockxbye5601]

If you need to have physical notes, but still want digital, just print them out ^^ hope that helps

[@heyminn]

Thanks!! ❤️

[@thesb2836]

I've tried multiple times, it's difficult for me to make the transition to digital.

[@Electromagic27]

how come? I actually want to go back to paper and pen.

[@gkmcjose4494]

What note taking app do you use?

[@heyminn]

GoodNotes!

[@robertmaxey5406]

I agree about the power issues. That said, those of us that love fountain pens, must watch our ink supply. Ink is our power supply. No ink, no notes. Apple pencils are expensive, but dirt cheap compared to some fountain pens. I use an iPad, Apple Pencil, Bluetooth ear buds, cell phone, and they do not work without power. We cannot win. Even our portable battery chargers need charging. Love your work, keep going 😊.

[@sreenandhamohan3772]

Which app you have used

[@heyminn]

Goodnotes

[@ayushmokal]

Are u using good notes 5 ?

[@heyminn]

Yes!

[@hanabern3897]

do you remember what you wrote in ipad?

[@heyminn]

These are my A&P notes!

[@isawimedic]

10 k view im the 10k

[@assh9333]

34k views and 74k likes ?

[@apex1203]

just wanted to ask something no offense. What is the reason you want your notes to look pretty? Without colors or beautiful letters the notes can still be a %100 effective. I think it's a loss of time. As a person who got to the top %0.5 percent on the national exam, I think it's unnecessary. It's still your choice and I respect it but my advice to you and other people s to focus on understanding and memorizing the content then making it look "beautiful".

[@heyminn]

I respect your opinion re: notes. I think it’s everyone’s specific style and I personally used to make really pretty notes to make them more engaging and digestible, especially since I’m more of a visual person. Now that I’m done my first year of nursing school, I definitely do not have the time to create these kind of notes lol. I still take my time with my notes by typing them out and adding pictures. Both ways can produce excellent results, it’s just a personal choice how much time you want to dedicate to note taking. In terms of understanding material, “pretty” notes can be helpful for visual learners to consolidate content together and make the information stick. The point of note taking for me anyway is to consolidate information, rewrite in ways to actually understand content, and can also be an excellent source of reference. Thank you for your thoughts though!!! Always appreciate different view points

[@apex1203]

@@heyminn got it by the way i prefer digital notes due to my handwriting being bad and me always managing to lose/forget my notes and notebooks