We’ve all been there—scribbling down notes as the teacher insists, “Writing it out helps you remember!” But is that actually true, or just another school myth? With digital note-taking becoming more common, many students wonder why teachers still push handwriting. Is there really a learning advantage, or is it just an old-school habit?

Research shows that handwriting notes activates multiple areas of the brain, improving memory and comprehension. Because writing by hand is slower than typing, students are forced to summarize and process information instead of mindlessly copying it. This process, called encoding, strengthens understanding and helps with long-term retention.

On the other hand, digital notes have their own advantages. Typing is faster, allowing students to capture more information during lectures. Digital tools make it easy to organize, search, and edit notes, and cloud storage allows access from anywhere. Apps like OneNote, Notion, and Google Docs also offer highlighting, color-coding, and multimedia integration.

However, typing can lead to passive learning. Since it’s easy to type quickly, many students end up transcribing lectures word-for-word without actually processing the material. Additionally, digital devices can be distracting—notifications, social media, and other apps make it easy to lose focus.

So, which method is best? The answer depends on the student and the situation. Many experts suggest a combination of both—handwriting for initial learning and comprehension, then typing to organize and review. For example, students can take handwritten notes in class and later transfer key points to a digital format for better organization.

At the end of the day, maybe teachers have a point. While digital notes are convenient, the science behind handwriting suggests it still holds a powerful learning advantage. Instead of fighting the rule, it might be worth giving it a try.