This is NPR's Life Kit. I'm a listen ad-warning, an education reporter at NPR.

Let's start first with an often controversial topic.

What do you think is better to take notes on laptop or paper?

We're at a study camp in 2019. It's at North Carolina State University and the

students here, they're getting ready for college. They have a couple thoughts on

this whole laptop versus paper thing. A student named Jack, he says paper.

I think writing on paper is better because you're like writing in your brain too.

Mmm, good point. Anastasia agrees. I think paper is better because then it's easier to like draw diagrams if you need to.

Another kid named Jack, he goes for the laptop. I think the laptop is better because I can type faster than I can write anything.

This might seem like a pretty silly discussion, but learning how to study, no one teaches you that stuff, and a lot depends on it.

It's a big problem for a lot of college-aged students who maybe either didn't need to develop good study habits

as when they were younger or who were finding that the demands are just now so high in college that they don't really know how to keep up.

Natalie Murr oversees the study camp. And all the stuff they're talking about, that's what we're going to tackle in this episode.

Practical ideas to help you navigate the academics of college, even if you're learning online these days.

This episode was recorded before the coronavirus pandemic, but it's full of great tips.

We'll help you avoid totally stressing out and what to do when all that pressure feels crushing.

Because maybe you didn't learn this stuff, or maybe you just need a reboot because you've spent a long time away.

Don't worry, we've got you after the break.

So you've picked your classes, you've found a place to live, you got the books, now it's time to buckle down and do college.

Your academics and your knowledge of the material only get you so far, then you have to be able to demonstrate it.

So to figure out how to demonstrate that knowledge, we're going to turn to Natalie Murr, a psychologist at NC State University,

the woman behind that study camp. She's got takeaway number one. Learn how to take notes.

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