Planners…and why they’re essential!

College can be overwhelming, we all know that. With classes, work, clubs and organizations, athletics (for some), and friends, it can be nearly impossible to keep track of everything. That’s why it is essential to have somewhere to write all of this down! What could that be you ask? A planner of course!

Having a planner in college may not be for everyone, but it should be! I am going to walk you through everything a planner can do, why it’s important to find the right planner for you, how to get started with a planner, and maybe then you’ll see how I’ve personally made it this far.

So, what exactly does a planner even do? A planner can be used however you want it to be used! It can keep track of assignments and tests, important dates or appointments, meetings, and more. A planner can even be used to track everyday habits you want to keep up with like drinking water and exercising. Whatever you feel you may forget, put it in the planner!

The next thing to think about when looking at planners is whether you want a monthly planner or a weekly planner. Most weekly planners come with a monthly view, usually placed at the beginning, but some planners are strictly monthly. The decision you make here really depends on what you think will work best for yourself. I can’t, for the life of me, use a monthly planner because it gives me too much anxiety. Seeing everything I have due for the whole month stresses me out more than the actual work I have to do. I prefer to take things week by week, so a weekly planner suits me better.

Once you figure out what type of planner you want, you need to decide how you’re going to use it. You can use it just for school, for school and work, for school, work, and various appointments or meetings, etc… There are a multitude of ways you can use a planner, and it’s up to you to decide. I use my planner for anything and everything. As I mentioned earlier, if I think I’ll forget it, it’s going in the planner!

The best tip I can give you for when you’re starting your planner is: color coordinate. Use a different color for everything. This goes for each class you have, your work schedule, organizing meetings, bills due, and anything else you may need to write down. By doing this, you will be able to see what you need to do more easily than if everything was in one color and blending together. It can help even more to make a “Key” at the front of your planner where you write down what each color stands for. This may seem like a lot, but once everything is written down, you’ll be happy you did it. I recommend dedicating a day to writing all of your assignments for the semester down along with any other known priorities and obligations you already have. This will eliminate some of the stress you get during syllabus week. However, just because you write everything down, does not mean your work is done! Make sure you’re constantly checking your planner throughout the semester to check things off, add new items, and to log whatever it is you may need to. If you see you have a free day where there are no assignments, obligations, or priorities, that’s okay! Use that day to have some down time. You don’t get many of those in college, so take advantage of the few you do get!

Hopefully by now you can see why a planner is essential in college. Many people use them, including myself, and they help all of those who use them to keep our heads on straight. I am a visual person, so being able to write down all of my assignments, priorities, or obligations helps me visualize everything I have going on or need to do. Everyone is different, so it does take some research to find the right planner for you. If you’re looking to buy one online, make sure to do a thorough internet search before hitting “Pay Now”, or you could regret the choice you made when your planner arrives in the mail. This goes for in-store purchases as well. Don’t just go to one store and choose from their selection, go to multiple stores! Target, TJ Maxx, Walmart, and Staples are just a few of many places that sell planners, so check them all out! A planner is meant to reduce your stress, so it is imperative to find the right one that suits your needs.