Ipad as a supplement for laptop in college?

So after starting college and into my 2nd quarter, it's been a pain in to lug a laptop around for three classes a day. I have a MacBook Pro 15'' and I would cry for days if I'm not around it, I use it for everything from my reports, papers, researches, and fooling around when I have time (never nowadays), but sometimes I feel like it's just too much for what I currently need. I was thinking of getting an iPad air or Mini w/ retina for a reference and quick research in school. My idea for it is that I would take it to schools, take notes on paper instead of the iPad, use the iPad for class to record things, photo things, look up the textbook PDF the school gives out for free (since they made their own textbooks), go home type up the lecture notes from class on the laptop, place it on evernote or something, and instead of opening and closing my laptop all the time, have the iPad with the notes/textbook on as I study and do homework. I didn't really think of the ipad as a replacement for paper/pen note taking, but as a supplement to my studies. Has anybody had this experience or so? I just need some more insight from people who have done this in college so I can actually decide if it's right to get an iPad or not.