Learning A notebook and pen can be valuable brain-training tools. "Research shows that writing stuff down — physically writing, wrapping your hand around a pen and moving it across a piece of paper — is one of the best ways to keep your thoughts organized and your memory sharp. In one study published in the journal Psychological Science, for example, researchers found that people who take notes on their computer tend to retain significantly less information than people who handwrite their notes." Article: Handwriting Is an Overlooked Memory Booster