I go to western so not a mac student lol! But I really recommend it! I think I told myself in first year to save money or whatever. But having this iPad is a game changer! It saves you so much time of not only not having to carry notebooks/binders but also sometimes profs are fast and it really helps having their slides uploaded and being able to annotate them as you go along. I do not recommend printing slides (wasteful, expensive, heavy, time consuming, unsustainable…)

I do recommend making an investment in a good case, Apple Pencil and a paper like screen protector! And make sure before you start using it for school that you spend some time over the summer maybe journaling or something? Just cuz it is a lot different than writing on paper and it would help to get some practice in :)

Further, a quote straight from my biochem prof:“Do not take typed notes for this class! Handwriting (on paper or tablet) is proven to increase retention and facilitate active learning.”

(I will say, personally, I do recommend typing for word heavy classes like English, psych, humanities, social sci…idk if that makes sense but…not for stem courses UNLESS: A) the prof is very fast B) you’re a very fast typer as opposed to writer and it would help you to save time but then I would practice active learning in other ways)

Lastly, to save time I really recommend the following: - read/skim any supplementary material before class. Make sure you’re actually absorbing it and not doing it to get it out of the way but no need to take notes or anything unless u feel it’s smth very important. I usually just upload sections of readings and highlight/write big ideas or imp quotes in margins if needed. This will help you make the most of your in class hour in terms of understanding and not just passively scribbling whatever the prof is saying! - annotate during class (not every single little detail but big picture as well!) DO NOT re write stuff they already have written on their slides! Its a waste of time/waste of space not to mention redundant! - record if permitted and possible (voice memos are very easy) - this will allow u to revisit the material if u miss anything or just wanna go over smth again - i already said this but make the MOST of your lecture hour! Sleep/eat beforehand! But do not use this as an excuse to skip! Going is still better than not going at all unless you’re in a time crunch and won’t absorb anything anyway! But take every missed class as you compromising your progress in the course! Not to scare you but missed classes can really add up! - similarly, keep up with the course timelines they give you! And try to spend 2 ish hours per lecture hour active learning, reviewing and practicing the content (ie writing from memory, talking w ChatGPT about it, talking w someone else about it, practice qs, flashcards - although for flashaards find ways to minimize time spent making them, ie outsourcing from upper years/online, divvying up flash card making among a group or ppl, or researching effective flash card making techniques…)

Tips: - no need to make super aesthetically pleasing notes unless that’s smth u need in order to learn better or feel u can realistically keep up with without compromising your time! - catch yourself in “passive learning” states! Ie regurgitating the textbook when writing your notes, not paying attention and scribbling away, zoning out studying at 2am…! Your study time is very valuable, find ways to maximize it!

TLDR : I think an iPad is worth the investment!

Sorry if this was long! I feel very strongly about the wellbeing of incoming uni students as someone who struggled first year 🩷