I still take handwritten notes of things I'm studying; I have notebooks everywhere and file folders as well. I was encouraged to take handwritten notes by one of my instructors several years ago as it is known to help with memory retention. I will add that I am not a big fan of the new crayons and coloring books, the smoothness of the wax and paper does not feel the same as what I remember from childhood about the texture of coloring.
I remember having to memorize various pathways in biochem. Like you, I took notes, often rewrote them onto note cards. Sometimes I would take a large brown paper bag, cut it open and copied /illustrated for myself the whole pathway on the paper bag. I honestly don't know how people memorize material without writing it out.
Through my school, college, university years (PhD in organic chemistry in 1973), post doctoral years, decades in industrial R&D, visiting consultancies to industries between 2009-2017, I have been a big, big practitioner of hand writing - thousands of pages of notes, draft reports, lab records….. yes, typing has taken over in recent years, like posting these comments. Four years ago, in full time retirement, as I began following this virus, Covid, treatment trials etc, I sensed something in the old drugs that would be useful, the chemical structure features. I have written down, from the net, over 700 chemical structures of drugs, 4 or 5 per page. Now I know why almost three quarters of the 2000 plus drugs in regular use could be additionally anti viral, in addition to whatever their primary indications. Looking at your own hand written notes is such a powerful memory and thought trigger. In the last two years, I have taken to writing ( comments) into some very good podcasts and presentations, like yours. Now, I write the equivalent of a page or two everyday. Not comfortable with the idea of archiving the writings in the memory of my I-pad, I am meticulously hand writing them down in note books after note books, over 300 pages of them in two years. Hand writing is such a great relaxation. I am only sorry that I don’t know how to bring sample pictures of those pages into these comments boxes. At 78, my hand writing is still as steady and rounded as it was 40-50:years ago. It is even a notch better now. But I am afraid that this is an interest that may not survive beyond our generation.
If we are to survive, indeed thrive as a species, I trust that the hand written word will be part of life and of everyday culture. It offers more than a pragmatic form of communication. It offers a means for cognitive development and a salve for the nervous system.
I still take handwritten notes of things I'm studying; I have notebooks everywhere and file folders as well. I was encouraged to take handwritten notes by one of my instructors several years ago as it is known to help with memory retention. I will add that I am not a big fan of the new crayons and coloring books, the smoothness of the wax and paper does not feel the same as what I remember from childhood about the texture of coloring.
I remember having to memorize various pathways in biochem. Like you, I took notes, often rewrote them onto note cards. Sometimes I would take a large brown paper bag, cut it open and copied /illustrated for myself the whole pathway on the paper bag. I honestly don't know how people memorize material without writing it out.
Yes, repetition is important. I have a minor in chemistry, biochem was my favorite.
Just curious. Have you tried any of the hand exercises from the videos? I find many of them challenging.
No, but I plan on trying. I’ve been giving another challenge a priority- the cold shower.
Through my school, college, university years (PhD in organic chemistry in 1973), post doctoral years, decades in industrial R&D, visiting consultancies to industries between 2009-2017, I have been a big, big practitioner of hand writing - thousands of pages of notes, draft reports, lab records….. yes, typing has taken over in recent years, like posting these comments. Four years ago, in full time retirement, as I began following this virus, Covid, treatment trials etc, I sensed something in the old drugs that would be useful, the chemical structure features. I have written down, from the net, over 700 chemical structures of drugs, 4 or 5 per page. Now I know why almost three quarters of the 2000 plus drugs in regular use could be additionally anti viral, in addition to whatever their primary indications. Looking at your own hand written notes is such a powerful memory and thought trigger. In the last two years, I have taken to writing ( comments) into some very good podcasts and presentations, like yours. Now, I write the equivalent of a page or two everyday. Not comfortable with the idea of archiving the writings in the memory of my I-pad, I am meticulously hand writing them down in note books after note books, over 300 pages of them in two years. Hand writing is such a great relaxation. I am only sorry that I don’t know how to bring sample pictures of those pages into these comments boxes. At 78, my hand writing is still as steady and rounded as it was 40-50:years ago. It is even a notch better now. But I am afraid that this is an interest that may not survive beyond our generation.
Thank you Moro.
If we are to survive, indeed thrive as a species, I trust that the hand written word will be part of life and of everyday culture. It offers more than a pragmatic form of communication. It offers a means for cognitive development and a salve for the nervous system.