Using physical folders in my degree at univeristy
I know that the typical answer to this would be to just do what works for me. I still would like to ask if anybody in 2025 still uses physical folders for their uni work, and how do they do it?
I'm coming to the end of my first year of my LLB, and i've done it entirely on my laptop. I've done pretty well so far, getting 2:1s and even a 1st in my essays, so working entirely on my laptop for uni has not steered me wrong.
I use notion, I like notion because i can use tables and data bases to track my assignments, readings, and cases. However, i still feel like my system isn't really "streamlined" or efficient like my folder system at sixth form. I also just miss handling things physically, there's something about working entirely on my laptop that does not quite agree with my brain. I know I'm not explaining that very well, but maybe someone will understand what I mean.
In short, does anybody still use physical folders for uni, how do they find it, and would they recommend it? What about working on their electronic devices did not agree with them and their approach to university work?
I'm coming to the end of my first year of my LLB, and i've done it entirely on my laptop. I've done pretty well so far, getting 2:1s and even a 1st in my essays, so working entirely on my laptop for uni has not steered me wrong.
I use notion, I like notion because i can use tables and data bases to track my assignments, readings, and cases. However, i still feel like my system isn't really "streamlined" or efficient like my folder system at sixth form. I also just miss handling things physically, there's something about working entirely on my laptop that does not quite agree with my brain. I know I'm not explaining that very well, but maybe someone will understand what I mean.
In short, does anybody still use physical folders for uni, how do they find it, and would they recommend it? What about working on their electronic devices did not agree with them and their approach to university work?
Reply 1
Hi there,
As you said, this is largely up to you.
However, what I did was do all of my research and reading on my laptop for my assignments, lab reports, dissertation etc but did all of my revision notes as I went through the content during the year, by hand and put it into a folder with a divider per module. I found handwritten notes for revision more helpful than typing because when writing, your brain has to focus on the info for longer because it takes more time.
As I learnt a new topic in a lecture, I used to go back later in the week and make a summary poster full of notes and diagrams all colour coded to help give me a headstart when it came to revising for exams, and found this really helpful to organise all of my topics.
Its totally up to you how you choose to integrate folders into your uni life but this way helped me to keep on top of revision whilst not moving away from my laptop 🙂
Hoping this helps, and best of luck this year!
Holly
University of Bath
As you said, this is largely up to you.
However, what I did was do all of my research and reading on my laptop for my assignments, lab reports, dissertation etc but did all of my revision notes as I went through the content during the year, by hand and put it into a folder with a divider per module. I found handwritten notes for revision more helpful than typing because when writing, your brain has to focus on the info for longer because it takes more time.
As I learnt a new topic in a lecture, I used to go back later in the week and make a summary poster full of notes and diagrams all colour coded to help give me a headstart when it came to revising for exams, and found this really helpful to organise all of my topics.
Its totally up to you how you choose to integrate folders into your uni life but this way helped me to keep on top of revision whilst not moving away from my laptop 🙂
Hoping this helps, and best of luck this year!
Holly
University of Bath
Yeah, I always write my notes by hand and have a folder for one of my subjects (which has a lot of handouts), otherwise I use project notebooks. I still use my laptop at home to organise downloaded notes off moodle and saved copies of coursework/essays and so on, but I don't bring my laptop to uni or anything.
For what it's worth, studies have shown making notes in a lecture by hand improves recall vs typing notes apparently!
For what it's worth, studies have shown making notes in a lecture by hand improves recall vs typing notes apparently!
Reply 3
Original post by 17orourkel
I know that the typical answer to this would be to just do what works for me. I still would like to ask if anybody in 2025 still uses physical folders for their uni work, and how do they do it?
I'm coming to the end of my first year of my LLB, and i've done it entirely on my laptop. I've done pretty well so far, getting 2:1s and even a 1st in my essays, so working entirely on my laptop for uni has not steered me wrong.
I use notion, I like notion because i can use tables and data bases to track my assignments, readings, and cases. However, i still feel like my system isn't really "streamlined" or efficient like my folder system at sixth form. I also just miss handling things physically, there's something about working entirely on my laptop that does not quite agree with my brain. I know I'm not explaining that very well, but maybe someone will understand what I mean.
In short, does anybody still use physical folders for uni, how do they find it, and would they recommend it? What about working on their electronic devices did not agree with them and their approach to university work?
I'm coming to the end of my first year of my LLB, and i've done it entirely on my laptop. I've done pretty well so far, getting 2:1s and even a 1st in my essays, so working entirely on my laptop for uni has not steered me wrong.
I use notion, I like notion because i can use tables and data bases to track my assignments, readings, and cases. However, i still feel like my system isn't really "streamlined" or efficient like my folder system at sixth form. I also just miss handling things physically, there's something about working entirely on my laptop that does not quite agree with my brain. I know I'm not explaining that very well, but maybe someone will understand what I mean.
In short, does anybody still use physical folders for uni, how do they find it, and would they recommend it? What about working on their electronic devices did not agree with them and their approach to university work?
Hi there,
This is a great question, and as you've said, it is down to what you prefer.
I've used both physical folders and my laptop in each year, as many of my classes provide hand-outs and resources for field trips. I have a small folder for each module, and just use them to keep important resources safe. I do the majority of my assignment work, research, and studying on my laptop, but for me, planning works much better on paper.
You could be the other way around, where you use Notion for planning and preparing for assignments, deadlines, and other important dates, but use physical folders for note-taking and revision. It really just depends on what works the best for you!
I hope this helps,
Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)
Yep. Aside from my actual assignments which have to be typed and submitted as word documents, all my notes are 100% hand written with pen and paper and put in folders. Even my typed assignments get printed out and added to the folders.
I'm old school.
I'm old school.
Reply 5
Original post by 17orourkel
I know that the typical answer to this would be to just do what works for me. I still would like to ask if anybody in 2025 still uses physical folders for their uni work, and how do they do it?
I'm coming to the end of my first year of my LLB, and i've done it entirely on my laptop. I've done pretty well so far, getting 2:1s and even a 1st in my essays, so working entirely on my laptop for uni has not steered me wrong.
I use notion, I like notion because i can use tables and data bases to track my assignments, readings, and cases. However, i still feel like my system isn't really "streamlined" or efficient like my folder system at sixth form. I also just miss handling things physically, there's something about working entirely on my laptop that does not quite agree with my brain. I know I'm not explaining that very well, but maybe someone will understand what I mean.
In short, does anybody still use physical folders for uni, how do they find it, and would they recommend it? What about working on their electronic devices did not agree with them and their approach to university work?
I'm coming to the end of my first year of my LLB, and i've done it entirely on my laptop. I've done pretty well so far, getting 2:1s and even a 1st in my essays, so working entirely on my laptop for uni has not steered me wrong.
I use notion, I like notion because i can use tables and data bases to track my assignments, readings, and cases. However, i still feel like my system isn't really "streamlined" or efficient like my folder system at sixth form. I also just miss handling things physically, there's something about working entirely on my laptop that does not quite agree with my brain. I know I'm not explaining that very well, but maybe someone will understand what I mean.
In short, does anybody still use physical folders for uni, how do they find it, and would they recommend it? What about working on their electronic devices did not agree with them and their approach to university work?
It's totally fine, whatever works for you!
A few of my friends still write on paper for their lectures and either put it in a folder or keep it in a book. For assignments, I'd say its even better since you're less at risk of plagiarism through, for example, accidentally copy and pasting text. Since assignments need to be in your own words, it shouldn't affect uni work too much!
~ Fatiha, Cardiff University Student Rep
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