Building the Perfect Planner: A Student’s Guide to Success

By Adriel Morado

October 2024

Read Time: 3 minutes and 45 seconds

As the 2024-2025 school year settles in, it is the perfect opportunity to establish organization and embrace a new routine. Being a student is certainly a balancing act. Juggling classes, homework, extracurricular activities, and a social life can quickly become overwhelming. This is where implementing a planner can become a game-changer for students. The benefits are unmatched; from improving productivity to strengthening time management, effectively using a planner is the first step to ensuring academic success. 

Choosing the Right Planner

With endless options available, how do you choose the right planner? First, consider your schedule. Is your week typically slammed with looming deadlines? Do you have a fixed class schedule or do your classes alternate days? How many clubs, sports, or extracurricular activities are you involved in? Then, think about your preferences. Do you enjoy creating to-do lists or writing out short-term and long-term goals? Would you benefit greatly from a weekly or monthly calendar layout? Choose a planner that best fits your needs!

Paper Planners

Paper planners are exemplary tools for students who appreciate the tactile experience and tangibility of the school process. Paper planners can be beneficial for students for a wide variety of reasons. They provide a controlled environment for students to establish organization, free of external distractions and excessive screen time. Writing things down by hand fosters greater memory retention and allows students to retain more information simultaneously. Handwriting is scientifically proven to force the brain to focus, which can help students gradually instill time and task management skills within students and prepare them for college and future jobs. Before selecting a paper planner, consider the following:

• Size: Choose a size that fits comfortably in your backpack but offers enough space to write down important dates for all your classes and extracurricular activities. 
• Layout: Decide between daily, weekly, or monthly layouts. A weekly and monthly layout limits writing space but allows you to see your entire week at a glance, while a daily layout provides space for detailed writing. 
• Design: Look for a planner with a design that you find visually appealing. Whether you opt for a minimalist design or a colorful one, you are more likely to use your planner if you like how it looks. 
• Additional Features: Consider features that may be beneficial for you. Many paper planners include sections for goal setting, habit tracking, inspirational quotes, and general notes. 

Digital Planners

Digital planners are ideal for tech-savvy students who prefer using electronic devices. Digital planners provide a platform for students to schedule and send personal reminders directly to their devices. Digital planners can be completely customized; you can choose colors and themes, add multimedia effects, effortlessly sync school calendars, and even construct your planner layout. Most importantly, digital planners are extremely convenient as they can be accessed from anywhere with a device. Before selecting a digital planner, consider the following:

• Platform Compatibility: Ensure the planner is compatible with your preferred device and operating system (iOS, Android, Windows, etc.).
• Integration: Search for planners that integrate with other apps or platforms you use, such as to-do list apps and calendar apps, like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar.
• Additional Features: Check for features like push reminders, customizable layouts, and the ability to sync across multiple devices.

Ultimately, the type of planner you purchase should reflect your preferences and needs. Whether you choose to purchase a paper or digital planner, it is most important to make sure that your planner seamlessly integrates into your daily routine—only then will it stand as an effective tool to help maintain organization, manage time effectively, and achieve your academic goals. 

Using Your Planner Effectively

Once you’ve selected the perfect planner, how do you use it effectively? Above all, be consistent. 

At the beginning of each week, fill your planner with key dates: exam schedules, project deadlines, and school and extracurricular events. Each day, set short-term goals by listing specific tasks and assignments that you wish to accomplish that day. To fully leverage the time-management benefits of planners, implement a system to prioritize tasks, such as marking them with a particular color or symbol, ensuring your focus is on high-priority items first. 

A planner will give you a big-picture view of your commitments, allowing you to set aside ample time to complete assignments, prepare for important dates, and accomplish your goals. It is important to remember that Due dates are not Do dates. So, plan ahead! Regularly review your planner and allocate time for studying, homework, and personal time. Be proactive! Schedule in-person tutoring sessions with Academic Support as midterm and final exams approach. Schedule sessions with Test Prep months in advance to prepare for official SAT and ACT exams. Track college application deadlines and schedule consistent College Readiness sessions accordingly to create a routine that guarantees your ability to complete application essays, resumes, and other required materials on time. 

The Benefits of Using a Planner

Utilizing a planner offers students a plethora of advantages that extend beyond simple organization. By methodically planning out their tasks and deadlines, students cultivate essential transferable skills, like time management and prioritization. As they schedule tutoring sessions and track their progress, students develop a stronger sense of discipline and responsibility. This proactive approach not only reduces last-minute stress but also enhances a student’s ability to meet deadlines consistently. Over time, these habits contribute to a more balanced lifestyle, where students can enjoy extracurricular activities and personal time without sacrificing academic performance. 

With the right planner and a bit of consistent planning, school can become a more manageable and enjoyable experience. Start exploring your options today and take control of your academic journey!