As finals approach, students nationwide are logging countless hours on their Chromebooks, desperately seeking those coveted A’s. Yet, recent research suggests that the plethora of technology at their disposal might be hindering their learning. It turns out that students who take handwritten notes retain far more information than their laptop-using peers. Reflecting on our study habits in the ’80s, it seems we had a more effective approach. We may not have had Wi-Fi, Wikipedia, or instant messaging, but we certainly had our own unique tools and methods:
Trapper Keepers Were Our Pride
More than just a folder, a Trapper Keeper was a signature item that everyone recognized. With bold colors or outrageous designs reminiscent of ’80s pop culture—think neon palm trees or flashy hot rods—your Trapper Keeper was an extension of your personality.
Study Sessions on the Phone
Before the era of group chats, we relied on the classic party line, which allowed three people to connect at once. If you were clever, you made sure at least one person on the call was well-versed in subjects like quadratic equations.
The Town Library Was Our Sanctuary
After applying a fresh coat of lipstick in the library restroom and dodging the boys rummaging through old National Geographic magazines, we navigated the card catalog to uncover research topics. Sometimes, romance bloomed in the stacks, but it was infinitely more engaging than a Google search.
Passing Notes with Hidden Gems
Nothing rivaled the thrill of slipping a note across the classroom mid-lecture. While most notes contained questions like “Does he like me?” there were times they held answers to actual test questions about historical events, like the Thirty Years’ War.
Wite-Out Was Essential
Without Wite-Out, I might still be stuck in ninth grade, endlessly trying to produce a flawless essay on A Separate Peace. Teachers often insisted on using black felt-tip pens and penalized us for any spelling errors.
Studying While Watching TV
Our study sessions often coincided with classic shows like Dirty Dancing, Santa Barbara, or MTV’s Top 20 Video Countdown. We didn’t sweat the details of screen time; we just enjoyed the shows alongside our study materials.
Personalized Cursive Writing
Once we escaped the rigid handwriting rules of elementary school, we developed our own unique cursive styles. For those of us who loved adding flair, that meant dotting our i’s with little hearts, making the process of jotting down biological processes like the Krebs Cycle slightly more enjoyable—despite the inevitable hand cramps.
An Array of School Supplies
Our desks overflowed with an impressive collection of school supplies: index cards in various sizes, highlighters, dividers, erasable ink pens, protractors, and staple removers. Our obsession with these tools kept local stationery stores thriving.
In summary, while today’s students grapple with screens and digital distractions, our experiences in the ’80s were enriched by tangible interactions and creative expressions. Each of these habits contributed to a unique learning environment that was both engaging and effective.
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