[sidneybristow]

When re-writing notes, is it better to hand write them out or is typing sufficient? When I go through the chapters initially, I type up notes because its faster and I take a lot of notes. When it comes time to re-write them, it will take forever to do so if I handwrite notes from my type-written material. I’m just wondering if there is better recall when handwriting the notes vs. typing? What has worked for you?

Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

"If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

[mjp44]

I am a big fan of typing notes up as I go along with the study. In the beginning, I was taking notes on legal pads and at the end, while reviewing I found that I had a hard time referencing my notes because they were disorganized amongst 8 different legal pads. Im also a messy writer. Having all my notes in a word document is just more convenant and organized for me. However, I do hear that writing your notes out is better for absorbing and recalling information.

FAR- PASSED (11/13)
REG- PASSED (2/14)
BEC- PASSED (5/14)
AUD- PASSED (8/14)

If it's important to you, you will find a way. If it isn't, you will find an excuse.

[mjp44]

I am a big fan of typing notes up as I go along with the study. In the beginning, I was taking notes on legal pads and at the end, while reviewing I found that I had a hard time referencing my notes because they were disorganized amongst 8 different legal pads. Im also a messy writer. Having all my notes in a word document is just more convenant and organized for me. However, I do hear that writing your notes out is better for absorbing and recalling information.

FAR- PASSED (11/13)
REG- PASSED (2/14)
BEC- PASSED (5/14)
AUD- PASSED (8/14)

If it's important to you, you will find a way. If it isn't, you will find an excuse.

[lleon]

I'm Team Handwriting for sure lol I have very messy handwriting and TBH I don't look back on notes much, but just the act of writing it down makes me focus and absorb what it is that I'm writing. I'd definitely recommend handwriting, but if typing works for your, then keep going with it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it 🙂

Licensed in Arizona

[lleon]

I'm Team Handwriting for sure lol I have very messy handwriting and TBH I don't look back on notes much, but just the act of writing it down makes me focus and absorb what it is that I'm writing. I'd definitely recommend handwriting, but if typing works for your, then keep going with it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it 🙂

Licensed in Arizona

[barelystayingsane]

There was a thread started about this two weeks ago…

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/do-you-write-or-type-your-notes

[barelystayingsane]

There was a thread started about this two weeks ago…

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/do-you-write-or-type-your-notes

[Tux]

I type a lot of notes at first, too. And, hand write some of the topics that are harder to remember.

Then, as I'm getting a better understanding of everything. I hand write more and more.

So, doing BOTH is a good method.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Tux]

I type a lot of notes at first, too. And, hand write some of the topics that are harder to remember.

Then, as I'm getting a better understanding of everything. I hand write more and more.

So, doing BOTH is a good method.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Keely]

I handwrote hundreds of pages of notes and immediately through them away. I rewrote the same things over and over. I found, for me, it was much more effective to write the material than just read it. Handwriting reinforces what you're reading. Typing is pretty mindless in my opinion. With handwritten notes, you can learn as you're writing and then reread them later.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Keely]

I handwrote hundreds of pages of notes and immediately through them away. I rewrote the same things over and over. I found, for me, it was much more effective to write the material than just read it. Handwriting reinforces what you're reading. Typing is pretty mindless in my opinion. With handwritten notes, you can learn as you're writing and then reread them later.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[I should be studying]

I agree with mjp44. Typing your notes definitely makes it easier to organize them & it makes them easier to read if you have messy handwriting (I do), but when I was typing mine I could tell that I wasn't thinking about the information as much I probably would have had I wrote them out by hand. It could be because I type faster than I write, or that it's easy to get distracted when you're outside of the study software, but as long as you review the notes after you rewrite them you should earn a passing score.

REG - 80 (2/28/13)
AUD - 68 (5/24/13), 84 (7/11/13)
BEC - 83 (8/29/13)
FAR - 70 (12/04/13) 80 (2/10/14)

[I should be studying]

I agree with mjp44. Typing your notes definitely makes it easier to organize them & it makes them easier to read if you have messy handwriting (I do), but when I was typing mine I could tell that I wasn't thinking about the information as much I probably would have had I wrote them out by hand. It could be because I type faster than I write, or that it's easy to get distracted when you're outside of the study software, but as long as you review the notes after you rewrite them you should earn a passing score.

REG - 80 (2/28/13)
AUD - 68 (5/24/13), 84 (7/11/13)
BEC - 83 (8/29/13)
FAR - 70 (12/04/13) 80 (2/10/14)

[sidneybristow]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. It definitely helps me with my studying. I see there are benefits to both methods, but the consensus seems to be that handwriting helps with learning and remembering the material. I think I type up the notes initially and then handwrite them a second time.

Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

"If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

[sidneybristow]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. It definitely helps me with my studying. I see there are benefits to both methods, but the consensus seems to be that handwriting helps with learning and remembering the material. I think I type up the notes initially and then handwrite them a second time.

Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

"If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

I hand write them on the first go-round. Then, when I'm done writing all my notes for the entire test, I re-type them in order to create an outline that flows and is easier to access certain terms. When I'm done, if I have time, I write out the typed outline.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[Author]

Replies