Should I change my handwriting style for college?

Question

When I was in Navy bootcamp in 1990, the instructors taught the recruits to write in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. The purpose for this was to make log books easier to read when we were standing watch. I have been writing like that ever since. Now I am starting college, and I am wondering if my handwriting style will cause problems on the essays I know I am going to have to write. I know this is a silly question, which is why I am asking on this discussion board instead of embarassing myself in front of my professor. Any advise would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I love your question. Please ignore *some* of the answers above.

You will indeed need to handwrite many assignments in college. Essays on midterms and finals that are assigned in class and handwritten in "blue books" are commonplace at many universities, as are quizzes and "writing prompts" that are administered during regular class meetings. (Even with the proliferation of laptops in the classroom, we still do not have "personal microprinters" or whatever that technology would be called.)

As some of the answers above correctly indicated, legibility is the key. I seriously doubt that any professor would have any problem whatsoever with the ALL CAPS style of writing.

I am a professor, and when I was an undergraduate, I constantly wrote in ALL CAPS. I found that the key was to make punctuation visible and clear.

Also, you should have no fear of embarrassing yourself by talking to your professors about this, or by simply handwriting in your usual manner. I can assure you that your question is NOT silly, your handwriting style is not terribly unusual, and neither would not be seen as silly by any professor worth his or her salt. (I couldn't resist the maritime allusion, given your Navy experience.)

Frankly, if I were you, I would speak to my professors when I learned they would be assigning work that was to be handwritten. I would mention the origin of your handwriting style. I honestly believe that nearly all of your professors will understand completely, and will have no problem with your style. Many will find your prior military service to be a valuable addition to the classroom as well, and will be delighted to learn about your background.

I wish you every success!

Answer 2

Like the previous posters have said - most professors expect that terms papers and other written assignments completed at home will be typed, not written.

For the handwritten stuff (like midterms and finals in a blue book), I wouldn't worry too much about it. I write in the same way (all caps), and after going to school for 3-4 years, I've yet to have a professor complain. I've gotten plenty of A's on handwritten midterms and finals, so my grades don't appear to have suffered.

The key thing is to write legibly. Also, many professors prefer that you write in pen for handwritten essays - it's easier on the eyes than pencil.

Answer 3

I would recommend trying to change this, if it isn't a huge imposition. You likely won't write essays or papers by hand, but will probably write short answers/essays for exams by hand.

I would probably not count points off for an exam written entirely in caps, but I probably wouldn't like it. That's just me being honest. I could easily see a professor/grader subconsciously being harsh on you because of this even if he/she didn't actually count off points.

There is also one other perfectly good option. If you have any doubts about the issue, simply try talking to your instructors. Most professors and instructors are more than willing to help students who have special circumstances.

Good luck. Congratulations on the decision to attend!

Answer 4

It's not a silly question at all. I'm sure as long as the professors can read your handwriting, they're not really going to mind HOW it is written. Come to think of it, my brother served in the Army and he still writes in all caps. He's graduated college and has been working for two years. Hope that helps.
P.S. I had a lot of profs who wrote in all caps. Good luck!

Answer 5

I might have to disagree with most here. I understand where you're coming from with some military writing background. I have been in the Army for over 18 years and witnessed writing format and habits change from the Pentagon level to the Platoon level. Most Army level messages are now being disseminated in sentence case vice the old ALL CAPS case.

Yes, it's true that most work will be typed but a few still handwritten. I would suggest trying to change your writing style if you can. All CAPS actually makes it difficult to read (unless you're used to it) and if it's in an email or online, it's actually considered rude (net-etiquette). If it's hard to change, perhaps typing in a few papers in CAPS and then using the word processor to change the entire format to sentence case. Microsoft Word has this function. It will come with practice. I suggest definitely try to change this writing style if you can. (Just a few sources listed below support my post)

Answer 6

99.9% of the papers and essays I've had to turn in during college have to be typed. In class work or essay tests are the only thing that require hand writing. Some teachers may take issue with your hand writing, but most will just be happy they can read your in class stuff. You could ask the individual teachers what they prefer, but I doubt it will be a problem as most major things require typing.

Answer 7

I'm not sure how your professors will respond to your handwriting style, but my sister types all her essays and things up.

Answer 8

most teachers in college will not accept handwritten things, but it couldn't hurt to try to get more comfortable with writing lowercase.

i am in college right now and we pretty much only handwrite when taking notes.

Answer 9

What in the hell are you doing even thinking about turning in a hand written assignment. If you do that you will surely be embarrassed in front of your peers. Buy a computer. If you cant afford one, go to your local library, they have them there for your use. They also have printers. Type it up, print it off, turn it in.
If one of my students turned a hand written paper in to me, Id throw it in the trash right in front of the class.
You gotta be kidding me.