Students across USD are using technology to learn more effectively. They’re taking notes with their laptops and tablets as they listen to lectures in class, underlining key information as they work. They’ll be trying to review their notes a week before the midterm exams in preparation.
A few students may find that they cannot read their handwriting come October. That’s why they may have turned to Microsoft Word or Apple Pages to take notes. The clumsy system on each platform is not set up for the dexterity required for university-level note taking. This causes frustration and then leads some students to return to handwritten notes or worse–not taking any notes!
As a senior and experienced Microsoft OneNote user, I can confidently say you all need a better note taking system. This summer, I was employed at Avera Research Institute (ARI) in Sioux Falls. While working there, a soft-spoken woman preached to my co-workers about the wondrous benefits of OneNote that even I didn’t know were possible until she explained them to me.
OneNote is designed to store and share all your notes on one platform. It’s available on tablets, smartphones, Macs, laptops and more. All students and staff at USD have access to OneNote through their university email. Download the software and sign in using your ID and it generates a blank notebook for you. When using a Windows laptop, you can use control+8 to quickly create bullet points and easy-to-read notes with now keys.
OneNote is amazing when it comes to creating digital tabs and organizing notebooks and pages in a way that makes sense. You can subdivide each webpage using the Add Page button, as well as navigate them quickly at any time!
Get organized and stay organized with OneNote. You can connect OneNote to Microsoft Outlook, Zoom and Webex. That means whether you’re having a meeting in Professor’s office hours, during an SGA meeting or interviewing for a job, you’ll be able to input notes quickly and easily.
In addition, OneNote can help you take notes for math and statistics. It recognizes equations and turns sloppy text or handwriting into easy-to-read equations and saves it for you. OneNote also finishes moderately complicated equations like a calculator, syncs with your devices, and you can take notes on your laptop then review the notes when you’re on your way to USD’s Testing Center using your phone!
OneNote has the features that students need in a note-taking application, from lecture notes to session recordings. It’s simple and easy to use, which makes it perfect for your time management in college. With OneNote, you won’t have any trouble getting organized!
