Note-taking on paper is a tradition that has stuck with us since the medium’s invention. Despite the tech world’s attempts to overthrow it, paper notes are still the default for many students and professors alike. However, these attempts to reinvent the way we take notes aren’t in vain as digital platforms become more efficient, more powerful, and easier to use.

Over the past decade, every service required by students – from textbooks and assignments to meetings – has moved to fully digital mediums. Paper notes are still standing despite this, but is it only a matter of time until everyone’s typing them out?

In the information age, everything is available at our fingertips. So long as one can tread through the misleading waters of the internet, there’s little need for books now. However, this creates a disconnect between reading text on a screen and physically writing notes about that text.

“The trend is to do everything digitally, and that includes note-taking,” said Joshua Gidding, an English professor.

Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes, and Google Docs seem to be the most popular note-taking apps. They’re simple, easy to use, and can be synced across devices to access notes anywhere. They may not be as free as paper, but they make up for it in every other way.

Then there’s the middle ground for those without a strong preference. E-Ink devices are black-and-white tablets for the sole purpose of reading and writing, as if simulating paper on a tablet. With no backlight and a better battery life, these are a convenient hybrid mixing the best of both worlds.

So which medium is most popular?

According to an article in iarigai’s “Journal of Print and Media Technology Research”, it seems students still prefer the benefits of paper notes over the digital alternatives. Many students in the study cite the increased concentration and memory benefits as reasons for its use.

Digital distractions are also a common reason for diligent students to take physical notes. “I think it’s hard to know in class when students are taking notes digitally, and when they are just texting their friends,” said Gidding regarding this digital trend.

Despite paper still standing strong, students frustrated with its disadvantages cite them as reasons to use digital notes. Some students cite how easy it is to edit text on a device, while others face hand strain and cramps while writing on paper. The overwhelming majority of digital reading may also encourage this shift to digital notes.

However long its reign lasts, it seems like digital notes won’t let paper rest. Whether it’s through E-ink, or taking advantage of paper’s other weaknesses, it may only be a matter of time until students’ notes are all in a digital world.