Taking notes at a leather-topped desk in the library, I noticed that indentations from the pressure of the pen stayed on the leather for a while after you were finished.
I imagined watching a girl at another desk work hard all morning, scribbling away on her notepaper, hardly noticing anything around. When she finished, her work, she would sigh with relief, leaning back in her chair and checking what she’s written, while abscent-mindedly massaging her wrist. Then she wouldglance at the watch, hurriedly gather her paper and leave.
I would move to her desk, because it’s better lit, with a more comfortable chair. And only as I start laying out my own notes, would I notice the traces in the leather, the ghost of that other girl’s work.
She hasn’t been taking notes: she was writing lines: “I will always complete my assignments on time and to the best of my ability. I will always complete my assignments on time and to the best of my ability.” Hundreds of lines, judging by the time she has taken over them.
I would cross my fingers on her behalf, that she hands the lines in on time, and that they are neat enough to satisfy her tutor. I have a fair idea of what would happen if he were displeased.
I reckon, that if someone was doing the same work as you, you could stalk them to the library and then copy all their notes from the table top.
ROTFL Unfortunately, I don’t trust anybody’s notes to be as good as mine. But if they were doing some subject I’m rubbish at, like physics, then I could see great value in this strategy.