<p>I’m going to be a college freshman in a couple weeks and I’ve started thinking about organization re: papers in classes. In high school, binders never really worked to well for me. In the beginning of each semester, I would use them but it would either be too much to keep up with it or the binders would break (even the more expensive ones). I ended up just using a folder, but it’s really hard to find papers easily. I really don’t think those plastic filers would help much either. </p>
<p>I’m only taking three classes (two film classes and a math class) and my college is on a trimester system, so it should be easier to stay organized. I just got a macbook, so I do plan on taking the majority of my notes on it and for math I guess I can just get a spiral notebook. But I want something (besides a three ring binder or folder) to keep my papers organized. If possible, I would want something for each individual class. And I really don’t want to punch holes in any papers either. </p>
<p>I have been to Staples, Best Buy, etc and have never really seen what I am looking for. Any suggestions? I thought parents would have more of an idea about organizational tools, so that’s why I’m asking here. I would like something that I can buy somewhere local rather than online. Also, if you know of any good apps on a macbook that are good for college students, recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Just get one of those 3 subject notebooks two pens and your set… im just being honest its what u take in from the class not wat u put on paper/ or wat type of paper/notebook it is. dont go crazy on school supplies i use to do that just the essentials and even a little less.</p>
<p>See my problem really isn’t the note-taking aspect. I just want someplace to put all my handouts together besides using a folder or binder. Maybe one doesn’t get as many handouts in college. I know for math, I’ll probably be using a lot of graph paper too, so I want it to be together with my notes.</p>
<p>You might consider buying a graph paper spiral bound notebook for your Math class.
My older D liked to use an accordian style folder to keep her handouts. She also used it to keep any returned papers and also as a place to store her flashcards. The stored flashcards came in handy at finals time. She is a pretty organized student. One accordian style folder per class.
My other two are pretty unorganized and no amount of school supplies or apps changes that. For them the least amount of stuff to keep track of the better.
something like this
<a href=“Pendaflex Accordion File, Letter Size, 4-Pocket, Blue/Silver (PFX 50965) | Staples”>Pendaflex Accordion File, Letter Size, 4-Pocket, Blue/Silver (PFX 50965) | Staples;
<p>Thanks mom60! I will look into the graph paper spiral bound notebook and accordion style folders. I have seen them before, but have never bought them.</p>
<p>You may find that your classes use Blackboard and expect you to download handouts off the website. It saves the prof time and money from having to collate them herself.
[Blackboard</a> | Technology and Solutions Built for Education](<a href=“http://www.blackboard.com/]Blackboard”>http://www.blackboard.com/)
I use a binder and have a plastic hole punch for the handouts that stays in my binder.
It is very handy as you can save them onto your laptop.</p>
<p>If I had to it again, my first investment would be an expensive scanner such as the Snapscan. It even comes with software that stores in “binders.” </p>
<p>My sons like those accordion portfolio folders with several pockets–one for each class. They can fit in a folder or two if necessary, as well as a spiral notebook. They use each section for something such as the syllabus, class notes, handouts, etc.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t work for me but it works for them.</p>
<p>something else they often do is scan and then email themselves a copy of anything they are afraid of losing–such as a handout or outline.</p>
<p>They also scan and email a copy of class notes to any friend who requests to use notes, after one son was burned when a “friend” borrowed notes from my son–who gave him his spiral notebook with the understanding it would be returned later the same day. The “friend” conveniently couldn’t find/return my son’s class notes until the day after the midterm.</p>
<p>In our house, we go super cheap. I buy stacks of the 70 page spiral notebooks that are often on sale at WalMart and Staples this time of the year. So for a couple bucks, we are set for the year when it come to notebooks. I believe that most classes have few if any handouts. Blackboard is very popular. </p>
<p>They did use graph notebooks all through high school for math class, but not in college. Dunno why they stopped. </p>
<p>You might want to hold off on buying too much until you see what you need.</p>
<p>I used envelopes (as in plain manila envelopes) when I was in college, one for each course. I also had notebooks (as in pen and paper). That was in the days of the first electronic calculators, but the envelopes were very useful for handouts, of which we got many. </p>
<p>It may sound obvious, but make sure you label EVERYTHING with your cell phone number. That way, when you leave it somewhere, you have a better chance of getting it back.</p>
<p>The most important thing is to figure out what sort of backup program you are going to use. agree most professors don’t do handouts but they are on blackboard. My oldest needed to see things so she printed everything out. It came in handy when there was a power outage. My S never printed anything out.</p>
<p>My personal favorite when I went back to school was a 3-subject, spiral bound (per-perferated for clean tear-outs), with pockets dividing the 3 subjects. I then bought a 3 ring binder that zips all around, and placed the spiral bound and a zipping pencil case to hold my pens, and flash drive, into it. Zips closed, nothing gets lost, every loose thing has a pocket…voila! Total $15 at Office Depot.</p>
<p>I’m not bringing a printer to college. At Knox, I get 300 free prints and every single student I’ve talked to said that it’s usually enough for the term. So, I don’t think I will be scanning anything. Not sure if Knox uses blackboard, but I am the type who will probably print out my notes and every single handout. I need a piece of paper in front of me to study.</p>
<p>While we’re on the topic- know that if your school uses blackboard, it is important to keep upin class.
The program seems to bog down when everyone is trying to get on at the same time - say around finals- so don’t wait till the last minute to do an online assignment, since you may not be able to get logged in.
YMMV</p>
<p>I just asked a current Knox student and they do not use blackboard. Knox uses Moodle (whatever that is). She said quote, “Which is where some professors put up assignments, articles and the syllabus. And you can submit homework through there if asked.” She said it depends on the class re: organization, but she usually uses folders.</p>