Have you read David Allen's book yet?

I'd say it's more important what your process is than what technology you're using to implement it. I agree with you on the PDA: generally, more work than it's worth. I've implemented a mostly-analog system, which is working great.

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Just my opinion, but although you feel compelled to start with digital, don't. The problems you've described with PDAs are the same I've found - too slow to access and too limiting. Paper allows you to establish good habits while, quite literally, getting a hand on your organizational process. You can always switch to digital later. I would argue against your point that digital is superior, as it all depends on your needs. Paper allows for creative and free flowing ideas, without electricity, software, or other limitations. You can write, draw, and edit in a way computers do not allow. Then again, digital is great for storing and retrieving reference information. Yes, I still use a Palm, but never for organization. Mine stores MP3s, audiobooks, and digital reference documents. Paper and Digital both have their strengths and weaknesses. You have to go with what works for you.

The first step: get your thoughts out of your head. Write them down, word-process, whatever feels comfortable. You'll feel better. Your thoughts are still concerning your because you haven't acted on them yet. Setting up a functional system need not be challenging or time consuming. I started with a legal pad and a stack of manilla folders. That's it. If you have some time away from your studies this holiday season, set some time aside, find a copy of Getting Things Done (if you haven't already), and dive in. Keep things simple initially, and remember that you can always add to and upgrade your system as needed later on.

You'll soon find that the effort is worth it, and a lot easier than it seems. Let us know how it goes!

Since you've already got a PDA, here's a possibility:
I've been using my PDA as reference/support, and that has been working pretty well for me. I tend to get distracted, so am quite dependent on the alarms in Calendar to remind me of meetings, etc. I like Contacts on the PDA better than a paper system, and think of it as a portable address book that doesn't have to be scratched out every time an email account changes. The PDA is also useful for storing copies of my lists - I think of it as backed-up reference!

Otherwise, I'm working from a pocket-size notepad and a composition book, both in nifty covers that make them look more grown up. The main part of the system is the compo book, with the notepad for quick notes while out, and the PDA backs it all up, synced with computers at home and work - if I lose any one thing it isn't tragic.

Yes, there's a little overhead in entering things into the PDA after I've already written them down on paper, but I find doing it at my (almost) weekly review takes the pain away somewhat.

I agree, simple is indeed better, but a little redundancy never hurts either!
Emkay

Instead, he uses paper for collection, because pen and paper are more flexible and faster-moving than digital stuff. For him, the PDA is a list manager -- part of his organization phase, not his collection phase.

If David Allen Himself uses paper and does the double-entry later, it's okay for you to do, too. :)

To take this a step further, this can even happen with all paper systems. I use a desk (5.5x8.5) size planner as my main tool (Calendar, lists, etc.). However, depending on where I'm going or what I'm doing, I don't always want to bring this, or if I do bring it, its not always my main capture tool. If I'm heading to a meeting, I'll either take my notes in an A9 notebook or on a pad of paper, and then when I return I'll usually transcribe those notes into a more permanent form if required. Whether that be distributing minutes for a meeting, capturing NAs and reference materials for various points in my system, or even just re-writing some notes in a more professional form (removing doodles, etc.), I will frequently process notes before they're into my system.

In some cases, I actually prefer this, as it seperates my collection from my processing, which means when I'm collecting, it can get full focus, and when I'm processing, it can get full focus.

I guess its almost like adding a distinction between a capture tool and an inbox.

a) Def. read Getting Things Done.
b) I used to be all digital but bit the bullet and leapt into a realm of index cards with reckless abandon and couldn't be happier.

Yes, we may throw out 90% of the notes we took, but keeping the division between these functions allows us to concentrate on collecting when we're collecting and processing when we're processing.

You may find this post on GTD & Academics helpful. Part of what makes things difficult may have less to do with paper versus digital implementations of GTD and more to do with the unique tasks that face us academics:

http://board.43folders.com/showthread.php?t=104&page=5

Todd V