Digital vs. Paper Note-Taking: Which Works Better for Studying?

Taking notes is one of the most effective ways to learn. Notes help you process new information, stay organized across classes, and review concepts before exams. But as you juggle multiple courses, exams, and assignments, one question may come up: Should you take notes digitally or on paper?

Both methods have their advantages. In 2014, a psychology study conducted by Dr. Pam Mueller and Dr. Daniel Oppenheimer in Volume 25 of Sage Journals showed how students who took longer notes by hand performed better on conceptual questions in an exam rather than students who took typed notes on their laptop. Writing notes by hand encourages you to process ideas rather than transcribe them word-for-word like with a laptop. On the other hand, typed notes help you capture information quicker and in an organized way. No matter how you prefer to take notes, the key is to find a method that supports your learning style.

When to Take Notes Digitally

If you find yourself working across different types of materials—including lecture slides, PDFs, recordings, and readings—digital note-taking can be a game changer. Tools like Notability can help your class materials live side-by-side, making it easier to keep track of them. For example, in Notability, you can link a YouTube video right in your note or import a PDF of your textbook to the app. 

Additionally, instead of carrying multiple notebooks and folders, all you need is one laptop or tablet. Digital notes don’t take up physical space, and you don’t have to worry about lost notebooks or piles of paper. Plus, going digital can help reduce your paper waste over time. 

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With digital notes, you can easily copy and paste text, move sections around, or insert a quick thought in between classes, all without having to rewrite your notes. In Notability, you can highlight text, sketch diagrams by hand, add images—then undo or erase with a single tap. Notability also lets you navigate between different notes easily and search for keywords, even within your handwritten notes.

Apps like Notability can even let you record your professor’s lecture as you take notes. When you replay the recording later, your notes are synced to the timing of the recording, so you can revisit exactly what was said at that moment. This is ideal for professors who talk fast or cover dense material.

Digital notes also allow you to collaborate and share seamlessly. Anytime you need to share a group project with a classmate or send your assignment to a professor, you can do so instantly. 

Of course, digital note-taking isn’t perfect. You’ll need to keep your device(s) charged, and there’s the upfront cost of buying a laptop or tablet (though many companies offer student discounts, and you can use these devices well beyond graduation). Some instructors may also prefer no electronics during class—so it’s always good to double-check your school’s policy.

When to Take Notes on Paper

There’s something special about the simplicity of pen and paper. If you spend most of your day on digital devices, paper notes can give your eyes and mind a break.

Existing research demonstrates that elevated brain connectivity is essential for storing and retaining new information and, therefore, is beneficial for learning. A 2024 psychology study conducted by Dr. Ruud van der Weel and Dr. Audrey van der Meer in Volume 14 of Frontiers in Psychology found the connectivity patterns from visual and physical perception from controlled hand movements when using a pen, contribute extensively to the brain’s connectivity patterns that promote learning.

Many students find that writing by hand helps them slow down, process information more deeply, and stay focused without distractions. Writing by hand can improve memory and understanding by forcing you to summarize key points rather than transcribing everything verbatim. This helps strengthen your connection to the material as you learn it.

However, paper notes can be harder to organize. It’s easy for pages to go missing or get damaged and for notebooks to fill up. Plus, if you’re working across multiple classes, keeping everything in one place can become a challenge.

The Best of Both Worlds

If you love the feel of handwriting but want the convenience of digital organization, there’s good news: you don’t have to choose between the two.

In Dr. Van der Weel and Dr. Van der Meer’s study, the group of students being tested had more elaborate levels of brain electrical activity when they used a digital pen to handwrite versus when they typed the same words on a keyboard. With Notability, you can handwrite notes on an iPad using a stylus that feels natural–especially when paired with “paper-like” iPad screen protectors that mimic real pen friction. You can get the tactile satisfaction of writing by hand, plus the power of digital tools like search, cloud storage, and easy sharing.

Additionally, when it comes to retention, Notability goes beyond simple note-taking. With features like Smart Notes that produce an organized review of your notes, Flashcards that allow you to review key concepts, and Quizzes where you can test yourself on practice questions, you can actively review and check your understanding, all within your notes. 

Finding Your Balance

Ultimately, the best note-taking method is the one that helps you learn most effectively. Many students use a hybrid approach—handwriting notes on an iPad, organizing them digitally, and revisiting them later with highlights or audio playback.

With Notability, you don’t have to choose between paper and digital. You can enjoy the familiar feel of writing by hand, with the power of search, organization, and sync built in.

Whether you’re sketching out ideas for a project, annotating a research paper, or recording a fast-paced lecture, Notability gives you a flexible space to capture it all—so your focus stays where it belongs: on learning.