Both, depending on the subject. I use notebooks more often.
I'm not in school now, but I used to use 3 ring binders. My memory sucks, I went to school both in France and US but I can't remember if I used notepads in my time in the US or not, although I know I had a bunch of binders. I don't think I used notepads but possibly
im done with school now but i used those when i was in school