Benefits of Commonplacing for Students | June 16th, 2026

Student life is chaotic, learn how commonplace books can help you keep yourself together.

What is a "commonplace book"?

Historically commonplace books have been used by names like Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, and Seneca to keep arguments and thoughts in a line. For a student, it can be a place to brain dump ideas, recipies, quotes, and reminders. Unlike a notes app, it's tactile and screen-free, allowing eyes to rest after 7 hours of staring at a chromebook.

There isn't much barrier to entry either, I use a 3.5 x 5.5 plain notebook and a Lamy Safari but it could be a 50 cent composition notebook and a bic pen and it'd work the same way. My number one recommendation would be to leave the first page blank for an index but the rest is free range!

My commonplace book has:

recipies
study material
blog ideas
quotes
and even stock info!


Benefits for Students

1. Zero Distractions

When you open your phone to naviagte to the notes app, you see three text messages, and Instagram notification and five emails saying new assignments have been uploaded. Ten minutes later you're still doomscrolling and you haven't started any work and you've forgotten the entire idea. A piece of paper cannot send you notifications. It allows you to catch your thoughts without breaking your focus.


2. Better Retention

It's been continouosly proven that handwritten notes allows for better and more in-depth recall of information. Scribbling down a fun fact or quote makes you much more likely to remember it in the future.


3. Reduces Mental Clutter

As students, our minds are always on. The second you write a thought down, your brain relaxes because it knows the information is safe. You can immediately refocus on the task in front of you.


The Takeaway

Slip a notebook into your bag or your back pocket, carry it everywhere, and give your brain some room to breathe.