The Best Ways to Digitize Your Notes

Writing notes by hand is better if you want to remember what you’ve learned, but it definitely has disadvantages. Handwritten notes aren’t searchable on your phone, and unlike your phone, your notepad probably won’t always be with you during a short study session on the bus or train. This is why after you have written them down, you should digitize your notes in some way to make your studies easier. Here are the best ways to do it.

The easiest way to digitize your notes: a camera

The easiest way to digitize your notes is to take a photo of them and upload them to Google Drive or directly to your computer. You can name and save the images as you wish, and although they may not be easy to find, they will be clear to you. Although this is a very simple option, it’s included because it has one major benefit: Once you upload an image of your article, you can attach it to the top of your document and use it as a guide to further edit your notes in the space provided. by typing below. Manual revision ( especially if done immediately after class ) is extremely helpful for comprehension and retention, so if you’re really trying to learn the content, it might be better to just type and edit it yourself rather than, say, letting an app or gadget do all the work for you .

On that note, let’s talk about apps and gadgets. (No judgment.)

Use the app to digitize your notes

The most popular app for digitizing notes is Evernote, which bills itself as a “pocket scanner” on your phone. You use the app’s camera to scan a document, and if your notes are “clearly written” they become editable and searchable. Evernote’s basic plan, which lets you store and organize your notes, is free, but you’ll have to pay $10.83 per month to search text inside images, documents, and PDFs.

If you want to handwrite in an app, try Microsoft OneNote , which is free and easily converts what you write with your finger or stylus into searchable, editable text and makes it available on all your devices with Microsoft tools installed.

Use a smart notepad to digitize your notes

To make your digital writing process super easy, try a tool designed for this purpose: a smart notepad. You have several device options that turn your notes into easily accessible notes. The most popular is the Rocketbook ($17-$40), which is available in several sizes and styles and is easy to use. You write on the pages with the included pen, scan the page using the appropriate app, and then clear the page to start over as everything that was already on it syncs to your device.

There are other options, but many of them have been discontinued or are hard to find in 2023—meaning they cost between $100 and $300 and are unlikely to have their apps updated. The only exception to this rule is the Moleskine Paper Tablet, which is compatible with the Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse… but the accessories must be purchased separately. The notebook costs $34.95 , and for $99.50 you can purchase a small notebook with pen .