Journaltastic 2021 Weekly & Monthly Hardcover Planner

So many students (adults, too) become overwhelmed by their overloaded schedules. Aside from schoolwork there are extracurricular activities, virtual meetings, doctor appointments and other important things to keep track of.

Graphic organizers like chalkboards, dry-erase boards, planners and agenda books can be lifesavers, and many prefer these to apps and other digital organizers.

Writing things down can be better for some people because the simple act of writing establishes a mental memory link that can be stronger than quickly typing it into your phone, because it is a more mindful activity. Another perk is that you don’t need to remember login names and passwords to access your information. Plus, having the organizer in plain view in the right location means that your eyes will be drawn to it more often, helping you to stay on task.

Everyone’s minds work differently, so individual preference will dictate the type of organizer that is best for you. For example, some families like having a dry erase board on the refrigerator, where it is seen and updated constantly. On the other hand, a young student might like a book-sized organizer with a trendy cover to keep them motivated. Parents can ask their children which type of organizer they would like best before buying.

• If shopping for binder-style planners, look for durable coils, and make sure that the pages stay flat when the book is open.
• Dry-erase boards require dry-erase markers. If the board only includes one, order several others in different colors. This can help with further organization efforts.
• Make sure that the planner you choose is easy to use. Some people prefer a simple calendar, while others want extra features that some other calendars offer, like stickers, tabs and the like.