Earlier quoted context omitted.
Join the Signo RT 0.38mm cult. Embrace the tiny font.
I really loved these (.38 specifically) back in college, but they’d start skipping within a matter of weeks. Maybe I was just applying too much pressure?
The importance of handwriting is now better understood
21–30 of 169 posts
Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#22I've direct experience on the power of handwriting to memorise concepts. When at the UNI, I was studying CS (while working part-time) less than 10 ya, and classes where full of laptops. I was take notes during lectures using only pen and paper and similarly I was taking my notes about the main concepts from the courses books. Then I was re-writing them again in a more summarised way, and then underline this notes and…
Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#23I've direct experience on the power of handwriting to memorise concepts. When at the UNI, I was studying CS (while working part-time) less than 10 ya, and classes where full of laptops. I was take notes during lectures using only pen and paper and similarly I was taking my notes about the main concepts from the courses books. Then I was re-writing them again in a more summarised way, and then underline this notes and…
I wonder if the key is not really handwriting but rather a deliberate summarization, because I always used a computer to do that. I did have a printout of my own summary, of course, so papers may have also helped as well. (I also tended to walk around and mumble a lot when I really need to tackle a hard problem in my head, but not when studying.)
I remember doing python the hard way years ago, which encouraged you to type in the example python programs and run them yourself. It made a definite difference to sort of deliberately slow down and absorb during the exercise.
Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#24Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#25https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361476X2...
Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#26I have started to journal last month. I came to it through pens when I randomly decided to find a good pen when I got interested in it through some youtube videos(wow, YT actually working as intended, for once). To anyone interested, Pentel Energel 0.7mm is the best gel pen in the entire world, hands down. For oil-based ink, it would be Uniball Jetstream, i guess(i am gel guy). I always wanted to journal and thought…
Do you have any recommendations for getting over the friction of starting? Like, suggestions of what to write about if you're unsure what's worth putting to paper. I'm sure I'd have plenty to write once I got started, but an empty notebook is intimidating!
Shopping lists, random thoughts, UML-like diagrams of code, sketches of possible art pieces, knots, etc. Just anything.
Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#27I have started to journal last month. I came to it through pens when I randomly decided to find a good pen when I got interested in it through some youtube videos(wow, YT actually working as intended, for once). To anyone interested, Pentel Energel 0.7mm is the best gel pen in the entire world, hands down. For oil-based ink, it would be Uniball Jetstream, i guess(i am gel guy). I always wanted to journal and thought…
Do you have any recommendations for getting over the friction of starting? Like, suggestions of what to write about if you're unsure what's worth putting to paper. I'm sure I'd have plenty to write once I got started, but an empty notebook is intimidating!
I have also ordered an A6 "pocket" notebook where I want to write one or two sentences or just key words per entry as condensed conclusions to my thoughts or sayings or quotes i heard or read. It should be this condensed book of knowledge and philosophy where long form is not exactly suitable for it.
PS: in my first month, i wrote a lot because there was a lot on my mind. But after a while your brains gets a bit quieter because you are doing this "exercise" and you will go through a short phase where you will be looking for something to write about. That might last a week or two until you settle into the habit and write only when you feel like it. I kinda miss writing when I have nothing to write about so sometimes i just write meaningless thoughts just for the sake of writing. Not all the time, just sometimes.
Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#28I have started to journal last month. I came to it through pens when I randomly decided to find a good pen when I got interested in it through some youtube videos(wow, YT actually working as intended, for once). To anyone interested, Pentel Energel 0.7mm is the best gel pen in the entire world, hands down. For oil-based ink, it would be Uniball Jetstream, i guess(i am gel guy). I always wanted to journal and thought…
Re: The importance of handwriting is now better understood
#29I've direct experience on the power of handwriting to memorise concepts. When at the UNI, I was studying CS (while working part-time) less than 10 ya, and classes where full of laptops. I was take notes during lectures using only pen and paper and similarly I was taking my notes about the main concepts from the courses books. Then I was re-writing them again in a more summarised way, and then underline this notes and…
I wonder if the key is not really handwriting but rather a deliberate summarization, because I always used a computer to do that. I did have a printout of my own summary, of course, so papers may have also helped as well. (I also tended to walk around and mumble a lot when I really need to tackle a hard problem in my head, but not when studying.)
That being said, I wouldn't trade typing on a computer for writing on paper, given the sheer speed I can achieve with one. But if we're limiting ourselves to trying to better increase retention and understanding, then I think pen-on-paper is the most valuable thing one can do.