Student Voices: A High-Schooler’s Perspective Bring Out The Notebook

Before anything else, yes, I do need to clear up that I’ve mentioned this in a previous blog. To be more specific, the blog concerning a few tips to study in a more focused manner, where I put “having a notebook” as one of the tips. However, I feel like this is one of the more important tips from there and so I’m isolating it over on this blog. Today, I’ll be discussing the many benefits, the amazing reasons, and the few disadvantages of carrying a notebook around. And so without any further ado, let’s dwell on the topic of having a notebook around with you at all times.

If you’re a student, this notebook is going to be one of, if not your absolute best friend. There are many rational reasons which I will now list down with why you should have a notebook to write everything on. Number one’s there already, so that you have somewhere to write everything on. Sometimes, your brain is not the most efficient storage system, especially if you’re working in a very active environment. No one’s memory is a hundred per cent reliable. Therefore, it’s difficult to carry all the information you have up there. The notebook comes into play here: whether it be random ideas, grocery lists, people to call, reminders or whatever, you’ll be able to put it down on your notebook. A good upside to this is that your writing materials can be found almost everywhere, but I’d specifically advise you to have your own pencil or pen with your notebook for a more personal feel. All up to you, though. Another reason to have a notebook with you is that disconnecting is good for your brain, this reason being somewhat an addition the first one. Not only is storing so much stuff in your brain bad for you in the way that it leads to energy saps and burnouts quicker, but it will actually affect your mental health more than you think. Go get that notebook for your mind now! This third reason to have a notebook will actually discuss why the notes app on your phone isn’t going to be the same as having your personal writing notebook. Handwriting over typing, in every single case, especially when it comes to choosing between your notebook or your phone. Not only does handwriting help your brain process more information, but typing actually helps you to become lazy. I might explore that topic in a future blog, so stay tuned, but for now, all I have to say is that typing decreases your willpower when it comes to doing things for the reason that it makes your brain wrongly perceive something as easy. If those aren’t enough reasons to convince you to find a notebook in your house right now, these next paragraphs should.

Let’s talk benefits. What are the good things and effects that notebooks bring you? One is the sense of accomplishment. By writing stuff down, it’s a known fact that over 94% of people feel more productive. And since you’re here, reading my blogs which pertain to efficiency and productivity, I’m going to assume that’s what you’re going for. Another benefit is that you can use this notebook for absolutely everything mentally. If you’re a student or a worker, you never know when you might think of a solution to your problem at work, or whenever you’re gonna find out who the best group mate in your class is. If you’re a writer or a gamer, you never know when inspiration’s gonna hit you, or when you’re going to find a strategy for the level you just can’t seem to beat. In any of these cases, write it down. You don’t even have to fall in any of the four categories to own a notebook because notebooks are literally for everyone. I’ll give you another advantage of having a notebook: this will help you organize your life. By reading this article on notebook, I’m also going to possibly introduce you to the concept of bullet journaling. You can find more details on that online, but I’d like to focus on one of those aspects when it comes to the journaling world: keeping track of your habits. Basically called scheduling, keeping tracks of your habits helps you to keep track of what you have and have not been doing throughout the day, week, month, or even year. This helps you to know what things are taking too much of your time, what things you need to do more and others! This leads to the conclusion that notebooks help organize your life.

But what about the other side of this scale, the one that holds the disadvantages? Here’s the thing, there’s little to no downsides in owning a notebook. I’d say that after considering everything, it’s only the amount of space it takes that’s going to probably catch your eye. I mean this in the way that notebooks are definitely going to take up space in your handbag or backpack. A good solution to this is to just hold it. It’s going to make you look official and organized, but it’s also going to take up some space in your hands. No worries, though, for it is such a small price to pay in exchange for the betterness of your life.

I hope this blog today has helped you in deciding whether you should get a notebook or not. Many notebooks outside are super cheap and can be found anywhere, and you may already even have some lying in your house. Put them to use and get on with it! I’ve had my personal notebook a little over a year now, and I’ve got to tell you that it’s worked wonders for me. Please consider doing this for your wellbeing, creativity, and in a way, mental health. Until next blog! —

Jon Zaccary C. Regala, Grade 10

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Anum Fatima

Anum has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Human Resource Management. She studied Business Communication at Harvard Summer School and won the Dean’s Grand Prize. She is an experienced Human Resources Professional with 10+ years of experience. Her expertise includes foreign relations, project management, business communications, and team building, which she acquired both domestically and abroad. Recruitment and Selection, Employee Engagement, Performance Appraisal, and Leaning and Development are among the specific functions she has been working in. Anum supports the Dubai operations at StEPS for student and professional development.

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Nir Mathur

Nir, a medical student at King’s College London, brings over three years of experience guiding students through the medical school admissions process, exam preparation, and interview/MMI preparation. Having successfully secured offers from medical schools in Ireland, Australia, the UK, and Singapore, He is well-versed in the requirements and intricacies of these regions’ application processes. His structured, relatable, and engaging teaching style makes complex concepts accessible and interesting. Managing medical school admissions and exam preparation at StEPS, Nir leverages this firsthand experience and teaching approach to provide tailored guidance and support to aspiring medical students worldwide.

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Amna Khawar

Amna is a bilingual Montessori trained Learning Specialist with over 10 years of experience at Dubai International Academy.

A Parent Ambassador for the prestigious Loughborough University, Amna will be supporting StEPS students and parents with their education planning.

Working in the Special Needs Department she has contributed to the positive development and wellbeing of students with learning difficulties and lower level abilities in group and 1-1 settings inside and outside the classroom through multiple evidence based interventions.

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Nor Fadilah

Senior Consultant

Nor is an MBA graduate from Malaysia, with a specialization in digital marketing. She has ten years of experience in education and student services management in South and Southeast Asia, including a focus on mental health and well-being. She manages postgraduate applications for StEPS and leads business development and partnership initiatives to drive strategic growth and build valuable connections.

Shayan Fareed

Shayan Fareed

Undergraduate Ambassador

Shayan Fareed is an Undergraduate Ambassador for StEPS who recently graduated from Warwick Business School with a BSC in Management. Prior to that, he completed his A Levels at the prestigious Aitchison College. During his time at the University of Warwick, Shayan cherished the vibrant campus life and considered it his home for the past three years, leaving behind fond memories as he moves on to new endeavors.

Faiza Omar

Faiza Omer

Communication Coordinator
Faiza Omer has a Masters in Finance from Punjab University and extensive experience in working across a variety of functional roles. Having been part of the StEPS team for the last three years, Faiza manages the company’s HR for Pakistan and the UAE and also supports with operations. She is skilled in managing internal and external stakeholder engagement and has received several certificates and awards, demonstrating her proficiency in teamwork, customer service, and administrative expertise. Prior to joining StEPS, Faiza worked at DNATA Emirates Group in Dubai providing passenger services and coordinating flight operations.

Misbah Fehmi​

Misbah has long been guiding parents and students on higher education application processes, entry requirements, subject selection, and extra curricular activites for university admissions.

We are delighted to have her support Team StEPS to share her expertise for North American university applications.

In addition for her passion for guiding students and parents, she brings valuable cross sectoral experience in writing for impact, human resource, talent acquisition, recruitment consultancy, advertising and marketing.

Wasim Hashmi Syed

Wasim Hashmi Syed

Senior Advisor

Mr Wasim Hashmi Syed has over twenty years of visionary experience in initiating and leading educational.

Mr Wasim Hashmi Syed, Senior Advisor, Professional Development and Transnational Education.Mr Wasim Hashmi Syed has over twenty years of visionary experience in initiating and leading educational initiatives with tangible outcomes, creating international linkages, and providing development opportunities for Pakistani youth under the country’s vision 2025. He has been involved in various government and foreign-funded projects, including monitoring research and development projects in IT and engineering.

As an Advisor and Consultant at the Higher Education Commission (HEC), he managed programs aimed at increasing the number of PhD faculty, providing scholarships for students, and fostering collaboration with foreign universities. Additionally, he oversaw the monitoring of research and development projects and played a key role in policy development for higher education institutions. He established collaboration with  more than 30 international foreign universities and organizations. He played a significant role in launching and overseeing scholarship programs and initiatives related to information and communication technology.

He also served as an Advisor International Linkages at Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Haripur, he had engaged in obtaining charter for Institute from HEC and PEC.

In his role as General Manager Monitoring/Projects at the National ICT R&D Funds (IGNITE), he monitored numerous technical projects funded by academia and local industry.

Mr. Hashmi obtained his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from University of Engineering Technology Lahore. He also holds MS in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, from the University of Louisville Kentucky USA, and a Ph.D. (in progress) in Transport Engineering University of Hasselt Belgium.

Zeeshan Riaz

Zeeshan Riaz

Zeeshan Riaz is an internationally experienced consultant with over 25 years of comprehensive experience in advising corporate, higher education, consulting and training institutions. 

He leads the business development, international brand building and student recruitment initiatives for StEPS partner institutes.

Zeeshan is a UK certified Clinical Therapist and British Council certified Trainer of Trainers (TOT) with higher education from Norway, Pakistan and UK in Computer Science with Business Management followed by MBA in Marketing.

He has extensive experience in corporate strategy and development in Europe, Middle East and Asia, working in a range of industries with extensive involvement in Green-Field and Public & Private partnership development projects which provides him with in-depth knowledge of the global job market to advise on career growth and educational pathways for professionals and students.

Saima is a TESOL qualified Warwick Alumna, with over 25 years of experience in student counseling, mentoring, teaching, teacher training, and English language assessment.

She has been representing her alma mater for international student admissions since 1998, and has successfully supported thousands of students with their academic development, university admissions and scholarship applications globally through educational guidance counseling, professional mentoring and career coaching.

As a certified DiSC and ‘How Women Rise’ coach, she also supports the learning and development of professionals to bring about workplace improvements through transferable skills development, behavioral change, and individual profile building for successful career growth.

Saima is a British Council trained and certified IELTS professional for British Council Dubai, Senior Consultant with Global Management Consultants UAE, Education Coordinator for BNI Konnectors in Dubai, and a member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital in Pakistan.

Her previous experiences include teaching students and training professionals for prestigious institutions and organizations like The University of Warwick, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Kinnaird College for Women, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Ali Institute of Education, Punjab Judicial Academy and The Ameliorate Group.

With extensive experience in education management and administration, Saima has been the Founding Director for the Directorate of Faculty Development & Internationalisation (DFDI) at LCWU, and successfully launched a Faculty Development Centre as well as Pakistan’s first university-level mandatory Citizenship programme in collaboration with the British Council. She was thus responsible for supporting the enhancement of teaching and research capability of Asia’s largest women’s university, creating linkages with local and international partners, enabling students in social entrepreneurship projects, and raising the university profile on an international academic platform.