Boost Your Brain Power with BIC Velocity! Review and Giveaway (Canada)

I remember back in university when I first tried writing an exam on a computer for the first time. It was really difficult for me because I found it incredibly challenging to organize my thoughts while typing onto a keyboard rather than putting a pen to paper.

While I’ve adapted a lot since then and do find myself keying in my ideas on my netbook, PDA or desktop, I still prefer to hand write things whenever I get the chance. I much prefer gathering my ideas on sticky notes or by making lists to help me organize my thoughts.

I actually thought I was the exception, rather than the rule, until I recently read some of the findings of Dr. Steve Graham, a published author and the Currey Ingram Professor of education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. According to Dr. Graham, “When we write, even before we write, we are putting thought into evaluating the information that we are receiving” and “That process of putting pen to paper helps retain ideas more firmly in our minds, leading to greater recall at a later time.”

“Writing by hand engages the brain and is a building block to learning that can actually help improve idea composition, expression and aids fine motor-skill development,” says Dr. Graham. “Keyboards are not the most logical tools for memory-oriented communication, whereas handwriting is the second way we learn to communicate at a young age after we learn how to talk. From helping children to learn letters and shapes to baby boomers working to keep their minds sharp as they age, handwriting is food for the brain.”

So I’m not crazy to prefer handwriting over typing! I also learned that I’m not alone in this preference! According to a recent survey of adults by BIC (conducted by Canadian Omnibus), 83% of respondents said when they write down notes in a meeting, class or somewhere else, they tend to remember the information better with handwritten notes and 62% actually prefer to hand write with pen and paper when studying for school, preparing notes for a presentation at work or just jotting down thoughts or making lists.

The survey also indicates that 65% of Canadians feel that people judge the quality of a note or ideas based on the handwriting. To that end, BIC has designed a new Velocity Bold ball pen!

I received some Velocity Bold ball pens to try and I have to say that I was totally impressed! The Velocity pen is retractable which I appreciate (I much prefer retractable pens because I can carry them in my purse without fearing that I’ll lose the lid!) and I like the Easy-Glide System, which is BIC’s exclusive ink technology. I find that my writing is smooth and consistent when using the Velocity – there are no extra blots of runs that I often find with other pens! Because I also have problems with one of my hands, I like the full-length rubber grip because I can write for long periods of time without experiencing pain. The BIC Velocity is truly one of the best pens I’ve ever used and has quickly become my pen of choice!

Given the quality of the Velocity, I expected it to be really expensive I was pleasantly surprised to find that a set of 4 Velocity Bold ball pens retails for approximately $4.49 and can be found at most major retailers.

Want some items to help you write even more?

Giveaway: One reader from Canada (excluding Quebec) will win a huge BIC prize pack including a variety of items pictured above (a $100 value!).

Remember, you must complete the mandatory entry in order for your extra entries to count (entries without the mandatory first entry will be discarded)!

Mandatory entry:
To enter the giveaway, tell me what types of things you prefer to write by hand (1 entry).

Daily Entries:

tweet the following (please include the link to your tweet): Bring writing to life! #Win a $100 BIC prize pack! @ReviewCorner http://su.pr/7M3LrO ends October 7 CANADA ONLY #giveaway
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Additional Entries:

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