Pen or pencil

[Dr. Wexler]

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What is your preferred writing instrument?

I use a mechanical pencil in math/science courses. I figure I'm more liklely to make a mistake that needs to be erased and there tend to be more diagrams/graphs which might require I fix once I have started it and I don't want to redo the whole thing.

Ballpoint pens for humanities classes...more imperative i be able to write quickly.

I disdain non-mechanical pencils. They get dull and then I might as well be writing with a crayon.

 

[drmota]

pen for everything except ochem.
-mota

 

[thedelicatessen]

Most of the time I also like mechanical pencils because they're always sharp. However, I use pens for tests and stuff because ink makes my answers permanent and seem more correct. Plus, profs usually won't do regrades if your answers aren't in pen.

 

[Zargos]

Pencil; because I like to draw stuff too.

 

[Dr. Wexler]

Plus, profs usually won't do regrades if your answers aren't in pen.

I don't like this policy, but some professors have it. (Others randomly photocopy tests and anything submitted for a regrade is checked against the photocopy (if it was one of the randmoly selected tests) for alteration. On tests that must be in pen I do the test in pencil and then trace over in pen once I've settled on my answer.

 

[anon-y-mouse]

I share your disdain for non-mechanical pencils, but I advise all my MCAT/SAT/LSAT students to use -only- non-mechanical pencils. Why? Try bubbling in with a mechanical pencil, it can take 4-5 seconds if you're particularly picky like me (and most students I've observed). Bubble in with a dull traditional pencil, it takes just a second. On the MCAT, multiply it out, and you're saving ~3+ minutes overall by using a traditional pencil... if you're anything like me, you're aiming to squeeze out a few more answers at the very end! It can truly make the difference between an 11 and a 13.

 

[Rafa]

Pen for *everything*. Assignments, tests, etc. Papers I type.

 

[C.P. Jones]

Pen for *everything*. Assignments, tests, etc. Papers I type.

I agree, all pen....especially when they write really smooth, it's just a great feeling.

I used to be a pencil type of guy, but notes begin to fade after a while, and they are a bit annoying with the breaking and the sharpening.

 

[Risa]

I'm left-handed, and pen smears. Mechanical pencil all the way, baby.

 

[pnasty]

i realized in high school that mechanical pencils are lucky

 

[masterMood]

I'm left-handed, and pens and pencils smear. I prefer mechanical pencil because of the sound it makess when you write (its subtle but if you hear it, its the sound of "hard work" ha ha).

my handwriting is much neater with pencil also. But if I need to use pen, I prefer gel pens because they're easy to use (and don't smudge easily).

 

[tacrum43]

I like non-ballpoint pens with blue ink. They use more ink, but I think it looks better and makes my writin geasier to read. And mechanical-pencils for math problems and tests. Although, anon-y-mouse does make a good point. Filling in the bubbles with that narrow piece of lead takes a lot longer.

This is kind of a random question btw.

 

[Deanmonster]

What is your preferred writing instrument?

I use a mechanical pencil in math/science courses. I figure I'm more liklely to make a mistake that needs to be erased and there tend to be more diagrams/graphs which might require I fix once I have started it and I don't want to redo the whole thing.

Ballpoint pens for humanities classes...more imperative i be able to write quickly.

I disdain non-mechanical pencils. They get dull and then I might as well be writing with a crayon.

you're certainly on the right track. Non-mechanical pencils are often used in drafting and drawing because you can alter the thickness of your lines. Also, if you only draw lines to the right or down and slowly rotate the pencil it will sharpen itself.

Don't give up, man! Stick with it and you'll get there!

 

[jbrice1639]

pen.

 

[Dominion]

Stylus, I use my tablet PC for everything except stuff that needs to be turned in same day, even graphs and crap 😀

 

[doctorFred]

crayola crayon.

 

[ShyRem]

Bubbling on MCAT: 0.9mm mechanical pencil. Yes, I bought an extra thick one just for that test.

Most exams in undergrad: pencil.

Taking notes: fountain pen. I just love how they write. Good drawing tool, too.

 

[DrBowtie]

I'm left-handed, and pen smears. Mechanical pencil all the way, baby.

Me too.

 

[masterMood]

how do you get the pencil to not stain yoru left-hand (it happens to me)

 

[DrBowtie]

how do you get the pencil to not stain yoru left-hand (it happens to me)

I don't...keep it off that is.

 

[pagemmapants]

0.3 mm mechanical pencil. HOT.

 

[Thundrstorm]

All successful pre-meds use pens with hunter green ink... didn't you get the memo? Adcoms prefer pens because it demonstrates conviction in what you are writing, and shows that you are confident.


😀



I prefer pen.

 

[jebus]

0.3 mm mechanical pencil. HOT.

Word? Where'd you get that, a drafting supply place? Some weird Japanese import store?
I prefer mechanical pencils (harder lead makes them even better) over pens but I'll use whatever has a finer point. So, that's meant using mostly pens for taking notes. 0.18 mm & 0.28 mm pens have changed my life. I really wish I were kidding.

 

[pagemmapants]

Nope, they have them in my student store. I think Pentel makes them. . . I loooooved them in math classes. Only problem is you can't press too hard or it'll tear the paper easily.

 

[virilep]

def mech pencil. .7 led. .5 sucks.

 

[it.]

Bubbling on MCAT: 0.9mm mechanical pencil...

at a glance, i saw the "9" and "mm" and instantly thought you were talking about a gun. too bad you weren't cuz that would've been an interesting story to tell.

back on track...pencils all the way 👍. and i like my lead somewhat dull

: pen :

 

[Keg]

Pentel black P-500 for pen use (everything class related), though if I could find a 0.3mm pen, I'd switch over immediately...

And a QuikrClikr 0.5mm mechanical pencil (or however it's spelled) for math and scribbling at my desk.

 

[ShyRem]

at a glance, i saw the "9" and "mm" and instantly thought you were talking about a gun. too bad you weren't cuz that would've been an interesting story to tell.

back on track...pencils all the way 👍. and i like my lead somewhat dull

: pen :

Have several of those, too. But didn't use 'em for the MCAT. 🙂

 

[burton117]

These pencils rock. I use them for everything: lecture, homework and test-taking.

The lead does not smear and the eraser will not leave a mark on your scantron. (of course, if your like me - you don't need to change your answer anyway, just need a little insurance. )

No wonder they're called the Black Warriors. 👍

 

[DrBowtie]

I share your disdain for non-mechanical pencils, but I advise all my MCAT/SAT/LSAT students to use -only- non-mechanical pencils. Why? Try bubbling in with a mechanical pencil, it can take 4-5 seconds if you're particularly picky like me (and most students I've observed). Bubble in with a dull traditional pencil, it takes just a second. On the MCAT, multiply it out, and you're saving ~3+ minutes overall by using a traditional pencil... if you're anything like me, you're aiming to squeeze out a few more answers at the very end! It can truly make the difference between an 11 and a 13.

Or if you are sweet like me, you can rock the mechanical pencil in your left (dominant) hand for calculations and notes, and a blunt wooden one in your right for bubbling.

 

[63768]

bubbling and math/science tests: bic 0.7mm mechanical pencil

anything else: bic ballpoint click pens.

yea i know i'm a cheap ass. but those bic pens are the best ever. they don't bleed as much and they're dark enough for my satisfaction.

 

[LabMonster]

I share your disdain for non-mechanical pencils, but I advise all my MCAT/SAT/LSAT students to use -only- non-mechanical pencils. Why? Try bubbling in with a mechanical pencil, it can take 4-5 seconds if you're particularly picky like me (and most students I've observed). Bubble in with a dull traditional pencil, it takes just a second. On the MCAT, multiply it out, and you're saving ~3+ minutes overall by using a traditional pencil... if you're anything like me, you're aiming to squeeze out a few more answers at the very end! It can truly make the difference between an 11 and a 13.

Actually, you can buy the larger diameter mechanical pencils 1.1mm vs 0.7 I think... Maybe 1.0mm - anyway it did help with bubbling.

I prefer pens for all notes, pencil for drawing diagrams & math. Over the last year I've switched to using fountain pens with fine calligraphy nibs - keeps everything legible (and it looks like Rambaldi when writing physics equations.)

 

[NiteOwl]

If it is for math, physics, chemistry, or anything involving else involving math, I will use pencil. Usually mechanical because they stay sharp. For notes I usually use pen (unless its involving math). And on tests I usually use pencil if I can.

I am left handed and have the same problem others have mentioned. Everything smears. Pencils leave the side of my hand that gray-silvery color of lead, ball point ink leaves marks on the side of my hand (not as bad as pencil though), and gel pens sometimes smear on the paper because they don't seem to dry as quick.

 

[Slackenerny]

I like writing notes with different colored pens. I put all of the main stuff in black, like equations, structures of compounds, and the like. Then I show how things changes using blue. That way if the professor shows how three terms cancel out of simplify an equation I can follow all of the steps. I lose track of the order of the steps when I use one color. It is also helpful for remembering the order of reaction mechanisms in O-Chem and saved me from redrawing the same picture four times over.

But, for hw, pencil is the only way to go. extra sharp .

 

[baja2oo2]

I use pen whenever possible.
I press down so hard when I write that I go through lead far too fast to justify using a pencil.

 

[ND2005]

I like writing notes with different colored pens. I put all of the main stuff in black, like equations, structures of compounds, and the like. Then I show how things changes using blue. That way if the professor shows how three terms cancel out of simplify an equation I can follow all of the steps. I lose track of the order of the steps when I use one color. It is also helpful for remembering the order of reaction mechanisms in O-Chem and saved me from redrawing the same picture four times over.

But, for hw, pencil is the only way to go. extra sharp .

Not picking on you, but I was really waiting for the "gunner" answer (i.e. multiple pens or 4 colored pens)

 

[Risa]

how do you get the pencil to not stain yoru left-hand (it happens to me)

I definitely just rock the pencil-hand look.

And hey, how come there's no "Any left-handed premeds out there?!?!?!" thread?

 

[dr.z]

Mechanical pencil for everything.

 

[Slackenerny]

Not picking on you, but I was really waiting for the "gunner" answer (i.e. multiple pens or 4 colored pens)

🙂 Touche. Though I think of myself as a reformed gunner. After six years of school I've toned down that part of my personality. I may be anal about multicolored pens, but I've dropped many other classic gunner charateristics. I'm a much happier person for it.

As for the pens...I never did that until about my senior year. I had a professor simplify equations by immediately erasing what he wrote and rewriting the new eqn in its place. I started using the blue to "simplify" the black in order to keep up. I now strongly feel that multicolor is the way to go. Plus, experience has taught me that multicolored doodling keeps you awake 50% longer than one color alone...

 

[Syranope2]

ahhhhh, my lucky mechanical pencils. i've used the same brand since high school - damn, that's like 8 years. every single test and homework assignment for 8 freaking years. they've stopped making my specific model - i looked everywhere for them, even called the manufacturer and they said there was no where you could get them anymore. i have two left. i almost cried once when i thought i lost one of them. long live my lucky pencils.

 

[n3ur05ur930n]

at a glance, i saw the "9" and "mm" and instantly thought you were talking about a gun. too bad you weren't cuz that would've been an interesting story to tell.

Frankly, I'd much rather we had a thread going on personal preferences in firearm caliber.

A thread on pencil/pen choice? Are you serious??

What's going to happen when you have to make the really important decisions, like cursive or block lettering on the prescriptions....

 

[jebus]

What's going to happen when you have to make the really important decisions, like cursive or block lettering on the prescriptions....

I'm finna put a cap in the pharmacist's ass. You better recognize.

 

[JayQuah]

Anyone a fan of the Zebra F301 Ultra Fine Point Pen?
Its the BMW of pens.
The Ultimate Writing Machine.
The say the fine line ball point draws a line that is only 1 molecule of ink thick.
That, my friends, is quality.

 

[gotdoc]

Anyone a fan of the Zebra F301 Ultra Fine Point Pen?
Its the BMW of pens.
The Ultimate Writing Machine.
The say the fine line ball point draws a line that is only 1 molecule of ink thick.
That, my friends, is quality.

This is only the best pen known to man. I was scanning this thread for mention of the Zebra. I buy one pack each school year and ONLY use those pens. Someone borrowed one of them once and I could not sit still till I got it back. You know, they just started to make the gel version. I cant wait to try them out!