i love using my ipad to take notes for my college classes so i wanted to share with you guys how i make my notes look pretty & aesthetic! this is def not something for everyone but i find that it helps me pay attention and learn better! i also study better when my notes are organized.
1. Use Goodnotes - it costs $9.99 but it’s SO worth it. you can make notebooks and organize them into folders! invest in an apple pencil for this (or an amazon dupe!)
2. Organize the Home Page - I organize everything I can into folders! For example I have a grad school folder and a work folder. I also have daily planners, monthly planners, and a journal.
3. School Folder - here’s a view of my school folder! inside my grad school folder there are three separate folders - one for each of my classes! in these folders are any assignments the professor had us download and a notebook for the class.
4. Inside the class folder - here’s a view of inside the class folder where you can see the cover of my notebook for strategic comm research!
5. NOTES TIPS! These are a few little tips that will definitely help you!
• Split the page into two sides, I do this with the highlighter (TIP: hold the pen down at the end of the highlighter stroke to make it straight).
• zoom in when you write for more control on your handwriting and smaller writing.
• use the highlighter for titles and keywords.
• use the scribble tool! turn this on in settings under “apple pencil”. when you write with the pencil after clicking the text box it will turn what you write into whatever font you chose!
... Read moreHey everyone! Building on my initial tips about making gorgeous and organized notes on your iPad, I wanted to dive even deeper into some game-changing strategies, especially for my fellow students out there. It’s all about making your digital study life smoother and more effective!
First off, let’s talk more about Goodnotes organization beyond just folders. While the article mentions setting up folders for grad school or work, think about a consistent naming convention for your notebooks. For instance, I use "Fall 2023 - Course Name - Subject" for each class. This way, even if you have multiple semesters or projects, everything is instantly identifiable. You can also create dedicated notebooks for assignments, readings, or even personal research projects within your class folders. It's like having a digital binder for everything, just way prettier! And don't forget the power of custom notebook covers – seeing that "Strategic Comm Research" title pop on a neatly designed cover instantly makes me feel more put-together and motivated.
For those of you wanting truly aesthetic digital study notes, it's not just about neat handwriting. Experiment with a consistent color palette for each course. I usually pick 3-4 main colors for headings, subheadings, and key points. Goodnotes allows you to save custom colors, which is a lifesaver! Also, while the scribble tool is fantastic for converting handwriting to text, don't underestimate the impact of varied pen styles and thicknesses. A thicker pen for titles and a finer one for detailed notes can make a huge difference in readability and visual appeal. I've seen some amazing digital stickers and templates available online (or even free ones on Lemon8!) that can elevate your notes instantly, making diagrams and visual summaries pop.
A common query I see is about Goodnotes handwriting smoothing. While Goodnotes doesn't have an explicit "smoothing" setting like some drawing apps, you can achieve a much cleaner look with a few tricks. Zooming in significantly while writing, as I mentioned before, gives you incredible control. Also, try different pen styles within Goodnotes – some feel naturally smoother than others. My personal tip: practice! The more you write with your Apple Pencil, the more natural and consistent your digital handwriting will become. And remember that highlighter trick – holding it down at the end makes perfect straight lines, which is key for neat underlines and section dividers, just like you'd see in perfectly organized digital notes on an iPad.
Finally, for all my iPad student notes warriors, let's maximize that screen real estate. iPad split-screen reading and notes is an absolute game-changer for productivity. I constantly have my textbook or research paper open on one side (usually in Safari or a PDF reader app) and my Goodnotes notebook open on the other. This allows me to highlight and annotate directly in my notes as I read, without constantly switching apps. It's incredibly efficient for review sessions and ensures I capture all key points while reading. You can also use this for watching lectures and taking notes simultaneously – a true multitasking powerhouse! These little tweaks make a massive difference in staying organized and getting the most out of your study time. Hope these extra tips help you create your most beautiful and functional iPad notes yet!
Do you have to pay for this?