Going Paperless in College

While preparing to go to college, I knew I wanted to cut out as much paper as possible. I've never been particularly good at keeping papers organized (I have disorganized, overflowing folders to prove it), and I've always felt overwhelmed by the vast array of notes and handouts in my possession at a given time. Because college allows for a bit more flexibility in this area, I decided to completely eliminate paper notebooks from my back to school shopping. Instead, I invested in the iPad Pro (11 inches, 2018 version) and the Apple Pencil, as I wanted digital notes but learn better with handwritten ones.

I should preface this by saying that 1) I am a leftie, so going digital meant no longer enduring the struggle of writing in a traditional binder or notebook and 2) I do still use an expanding folder to keep track of some handouts and assignments because not every professor is paperless.

For note-taking, I use the GoodNotes 5 app. There's been a constant debate online between this app and Notability, but I found that I prefer the traditional notebook style of GoodNotes. Notes are organized into notebooks rather than dividers, and the vast array of templates as well as the page-turning feature give the feel of regular note-taking. However, the biggest drawback is the lack of a recording function, which Notability does have. There are a number of really great videos that delve into the differences between the two apps, and I'll link a few below.

What I love most about digital note-taking is the freedom to change notes after they have been written. Text and handwriting can be moved around, pictures can be added, and colors and size can be changed with the tap of a button. This is especially helpful when adding to notes or messing with the look of them. For my classes that follow a more traditional lecture form, this makes it easy to go back and add details I may have missed during class. Most often, I add arrows and little doodles to go along with the content. In other classes, such as my Foundations in Media Arts Production course, the ability to add pictures is a huge help when no actual notes are given.

Handouts and readings can also be imported into GoodNotes and added directly to notebooks or to folders. In my college writing class, which consists primarily of online readings, GoodNotes allows me to annotate texts while keeping them in one place. It's a HUGE help when the professor goes back and forth between different documents, especially since GoodNotes creates tabs similar to that of a web browser.

Outside of note-taking, I do most of my planning within GoodNotes as well. I use both the calendar template and schedule template to input assignments and keep track of important dates. Larger assignments are written in all caps, and every event is color-coded. While this is a bit more extreme, it helps me to stay organized and see everything at a glance. The best part of digital notes, and bullet journals in general, is that they are adaptable to every person.

A few cool things to note about the GoodNotes app is that it isn't limited to schoolwork. I've imported screenplays to read, created notebooks for different writing projects I have in mind, and created various quick notes for different tasks I have to complete. If you're not the most creative person, there are free templates out there, as well as ones that cost money but have linked dividers and other cool features. GoodNotes also has sheet music templates for musicians and a variety of note-taking papers including narrow-ruled, wide-ruled, Cornell, and gridded.

If you're like me and you appreciate the feel of a pen or pencil on paper, it may seem unnatural to write on a screen. It isn't a huge adjustment, but writing on the iPad (or any tablet) can at first feel uncomfortable. Although not completely necessary, I purchased the PaperLike screen protector, which adds a bit of friction to give the illusion of writing on paper. The difference is a slight one, and the protector does diminish the retina display with a bit of noise (particularly on white screens), but the noise is easily ignored and the protector combats fingerprints incredibly well. There is also currently a Paperlike 2 in production, which promises to eliminate this noise with nanodots and can be found here on Kickstarter.

Overall, I am so glad I went paperless. My work is far more manageable, and everything is in one place without any risk of losing papers or wrinkling them. The biggest consideration is undoubtedly price, as the iPad Pro isn't cheap. However, newer iPad models such as the new iPad Mini and iPad Air are now compatible with the Apple Pencil, and they tend to be less expensive than the Pro. I also took advantage of Apple's education pricing to receive a significant amount off my purchase. And while digital note-taking isn't for everyone, I certainly recommend it.

YouTube Videos:

Side by Side Comparison  **full disclosure this video shows an older version of GoodNotes, and features such as the ability to search handwriting have significantly improved**

Feature Comparison

Taking Breaks and Starting College

A little over a year ago, I decided I was going to use this blog to post my creative writing assignments and other articles. Then, life happened.

Life has a way of catching up to you. By the end of my junior year of high school, I was burnt out. This blog disappeared from my mind completely and I prepared for senior year. When senior year began, I found myself even busier than before...taking six AP courses, acting in both the school play and school musical, working 15 hours a week at my local Target, applying to college, sitting on my regional school committee, coordinating my school's speech and debate team as captain...needless to say, I was overwhelmed.

Of course, everything has a way of working out. I graduated at the top of my class and decided to attend Emerson College in Boston, MA. I continued working at Target through the summer and went to the beach as much as possible. I did what every adult told me to do––make the most of your summer before college.

If anything, this blog became something to reminisce about, a little project I began in high school, a place where I shouted my thoughts into the internet's void in the hopes that someone would find them and choose to listen. Even as I write this, there's a good chance no one will see it. This blog may be consigned to oblivion, a place for personal reflection that remains just that––personal.

BUT, if anyone is listening, I'm going to reorganize. I'm beginning college as a Visual and Media Arts major, looking to concentrate in screenwriting. I'm excited to explore Boston, a city I've lived near for most of my life but never truly explored. I'm embracing this next chapter of my life, holding onto the hope that if I shout these thoughts into the void, that someone will stumble upon them and choose to listen.

(If someone does happen to be here and you're listening, don't be afraid to reach out. I would love to connect with other writers and students, continue to share my experiences, and share my writing.)

The Crayon –– A Sestina

The following poem is one I wrote for my Creative Writing class. We were tasked with writing a sestina, which involves finding six random words and following a specific form.

Handling New Ideas

What if [insert amazing story idea here]…. This is often how I come up with new ideas. It might be a random thought, an observation, maybe even a dream (which is where my latest WIP came from 💡 ) No matter how ideas come about, there has to be a way to bring them to life. I use a four step process to insure that, whatever it is, it’s something I’d like to spend time on.

1. WAIT ⏱

My first step is to wait. I let the idea sit around and see what it does. If it’s something I’m really into, it will sit in my head and refuse to leave. This past NaNoWriMo, I was working on a story I really loved. Then I had a dream about a completely different story! What’s a girl to do? As I was in the middle of NaNo, I decided to wait, and figured it would dissolve into some old thought I once had a dream of. Nope! Boy, was I wrong. The idea bothered me constantly. I would always think about it and ask myself questions and wonder. How would marriage work? Why would society be arranged in this way? I found myself craving answers. So, I moved on to step 2.

2. BRAINSTORM🤔 

The next step is to brainstorm. I did this using Ulysses, my favorite writing program, which you can read all about here. I started by writing out the gist of the plot and, because it’s utopian, elements of the story world. I did my best to answer the questions that had, for lack of a better word, plagued me. I also researched character names and generally described each MC. I picked out my POV and decided on 3 first person POVs (I feel crazy just writing it 😬). I spent some time getting to know the story. It was far from done (I’m still figuring out certain details), but it felt good to get all of my ideas down on paper. I used this time to work out little plot details and just get excited because OMG I have a solid idea! I printed out my brainstorm sheet and made little notes where I needed to figure out certain things. It was time for step 3!

3. WRITE 💻

I know, I know, you’re thinking “Isn’t this a FOUR step process? How come writing is step 3?” My next step is to try writing the idea. Because you can plan out all you want, but nothing beats putting yourself into the characters’ shoes and writing. Sometimes it just isn’t possible to write something. Not every idea is a good fit. And that’s O-K. By trying it out, you can find if you like these character’s enough to become them every day. I know this also sounds bonkers, because you create the characters, so why wouldn’t you like them, am I right? But…characters have a funny way of becoming their own person with their own ideas and plot twists. Nevertheless, make sure this is a story you could foresee a future with. Think of it like finding a boyfriend…sure you pick out the guy you go out with, but it might not be the best fit. And why would you want to date a guy who you wouldn’t want to spend time with and who you don’t see a future with? Point made…it’s time to move on to step four, the final step.

4. PLAN 📝

Step four isn’t completely necessary, and it fully depends on whether you fancy yourself a plotter or a pantser. I myself am a plotter, so this step is very very necessary. I use this time to really get to know my story and my characters. I write up scene plans and fill out character worksheets. On her website, Jill Williamson offers character worksheets, and Go Teen Writers (which Jill writes with fellow authors Stephanie Morrill and Shannon Dittermore) has scene planners too. I took each one and formatted them to form worksheets, which I color coded and changed fonts for (I’m a real sucker for cute fonts).

Recently, I've become obsessed with outlining and its many possibilities. If you'd like to hear about them, you'll find the article here.

In conclusion, I wait, brainstorm, write, then plan. This process isn’t for everyone, but I’ve found it really helps my stories along. I love this process because it allows me to be flexible while remaining prepared.