If you recently graduated or are preparing for the big event, we want to congratulate you! After hours of note taking, paper writing and last minute assignment finishing (you know who you are), you’ve finally made it to the end of this road, where a paper diploma marks your transition into the “real world.” It’s now time to pack up and get ready for what lies ahead. But before you hastily get rid of any reminders of those strenuous hours, consider the value of your paper trail a few years down the road. Here are a few ways you can benefit from scanning your important papers, notes or even doodles from lectures:

1. Expertise: All of those classes you took were designed to teach you something new or make you an expert in your own major and field. For those times where you need a refresher, rereading your notes or papers brings you back to the days when you were a newly appointed expert. Developing your expertise doesn’t have to end once you get your diploma.

2. Job Search: Speaking of expertise, most jobs will require you to have a certain skill set. When you’re writing your resume, it is always helpful to remember the specifics of what you learned. Brushing up on your own reading before an interview will give you the natural confidence in your own knowledge and abilities.

3. Memories: While you may want to forget the stress right now, we promise that a few years down, you’ll be curious about your thoughts when you were a young college student. Keeping track of your work throughout the years will allow you to look back and see how you have evolved since then.

Whatever you’ve chosen to do post-graduation, we hope you’ll take some time to reflect on the last few years to figure out what it is you want to remember. As for your paper memories, let us help you out–use your ScanSnap to store the concrete knowledge you gained while in school. Bonus points: as you accrue more paper in the real world, you’ll be able to stay on top of it by digitizing and shredding as you please.

And finally, here’s to you, college graduate! Celebrate this time – you’ve earned it.

Jordyn Russell
Marketing Communications Manager
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.