| Welcome to 🍏Lunch n Learn with Lindsay🍏 Issue 297. I’ve just returned from a glorious long weekend in Barolo, Italy. In this quaint village nestled amongst the vineyards, I discovered a colourful courtyard with an artwork installation of 8 foot wooden pencils. Beautiful hey? This little colourful corner got me thinking about the humble pen and paper and how we encourage our learners here at Your Excellency to keep handwritten notes when attending training with us. In an age where laptops, tablets and AI-powered note-taking tools are readily available, it can be tempting to assume that handwritten notes have become obsolete. But when it comes to learning, retaining information and applying new skills, we actively encourage you to embrace handwritten note-taking as one of the simplest ways to maximise learning. The Science of Writing by Hand When we write notes by hand, our brains engage in a more active learning process than when we simply type words into a device. Research has shown that handwriting requires the brain to process information more deeply. Because we cannot write as quickly as someone speaks, we are forced to listen carefully, identify key points and summarise concepts in our own words. This mental filtering helps us make sense of information rather than merely recording it. Typing, by contrast, often encourages verbatim note-taking. While it may result in more words on the page, it can lead to less meaningful processing of the content itself. In essence, handwriting turns us from passive recorders into active learners. Creating Stronger Memory Pathways One of the most fascinating aspects of handwritten note-taking is its impact on memory. When we physically form letters and words, multiple areas of the brain become involved. Visual processing, motor skills and cognitive understanding work together to create stronger neural connections. This process helps move information from short-term memory towards long-term retention. Think of it as creating several routes to the same destination. The more pathways the brain creates around a piece of information, the easier it becomes to retrieve later. And of course, for us busy EAs and PAs juggling competing priorities, stronger recall can be invaluable when applying new knowledge back in the workplace. Reading Your Notes Reinforces Learning The learning process does not end when the training session finishes. Reviewing handwritten notes provides another opportunity for reinforcement. As you read through your notes, your brain revisits the concepts and strengthens the memory traces created during the session. Many learning experts refer to this as “retrieval practice”, the act of recalling information to improve retention. Even a brief review within 24 hours of attending a course can significantly improve how much information you remember weeks later. The combination of writing, reviewing and reflecting creates a powerful learning cycle: Listen and process information Write key points in your own words Review notes after the session Apply learning in practice Each step strengthens understanding and retention. Fewer Distractions, Greater Focus There’s also another benefit that is often overlooked: concentration. Laptops and tablets bring convenience, but they also bring temptation. Incoming emails, instant messages, notifications and open browser tabs can all compete for attention during a training session. A notebook has no pop-up alerts. Handwriting naturally encourages greater presence and engagement. Participants are often more focused on the discussion, more likely to ask questions and more connected to the learning experience. For professionals whose working lives revolve around managing multiple streams of communication, the opportunity to focus on a single task can be surprisingly refreshing. Supporting Reflection and Critical Thinking Effective learning is about more than capturing information. It is about making connections. Handwritten notes allow for flexibility that many digital systems struggle to replicate. Arrows, sketches, mind maps, diagrams, highlighted themes and personal reflections can all sit naturally alongside key learning points. These visual and creative elements help the brain organise information and identify relationships between concepts. For EAs and PAs, who often need to translate learning into practical workplace improvements, this ability to connect ideas can be particularly valuable. Finding the Right Balance None of this suggests that technology should be abandoned. Digital tools offer excellent ways to organise, search and store information. However, there may be merit in separating the learning stage from the storage stage. Many professionals find success by taking handwritten notes during training and then later transferring key actions, reminders and resources into their digital systems. This approach combines the cognitive benefits of handwriting with the convenience of modern technology. A Simple Habit with Lasting Benefits As workplace learning continues to evolve, some traditional methods remain remarkably effective. Handwritten note-taking encourages deeper thinking, stronger memory formation, improved concentration and more meaningful engagement with new ideas. For EAs and PAs investing time in professional development, a notebook and pen may still be among the most powerful learning tools available. The next time you attend a training course, consider leaving the laptop in your bag for a while. You may discover that one of the oldest learning techniques is still one of the best. And if you join a Your Excellency course or Programme? We’ll email you a personalised course workbook and encourage you to complete handwritten notes! |
