Admittedly, doing the research for this post was like Christmas come early for this Type A, shopaholic mom! First off – I love helping students get ready for school so they can use their Superpowers to excel.
Second, I LOVE all things related to organizing!
So, I took one for the team, diving into the world of calendars, planners, and organizers. And I can’t lie it was downright therapeutic.
I’ve sifted through mountains of planners to find the best and most functional ones for our students. This wasn’t entirely selfless. Back-to-school shopping for two high school students is in full swing and their school planner needs couldn’t be more different.
The Right Planner Suits the Different Needs of Every Student
For my Type A kid, the more room to write, the better. They don’t just include due dates – this kid practically writes out their entire class schedule and details about every assignment. My child also requires a planner with a large notes section so they can jot key things to remember and random ideas. They also love to see inspirational quotes and sayings or humour on the pages of their planner.
On the other hand, my other child finds too many lines, quotes, or other “stuff” distracting. They need a planner with plenty of blank space for notes. They want to have room to write a daily schedule to manage their assignment – but can do without the clutter.
One organizes to-do lists by day, the other needs weekly views or monthly calendars that allow them to plan ahead.
This search took me to many places but it was worth it. To be honest, I am just happy I have finally convinced my kids that writing out their tasks in a paper planner was necessary. And using weekly planners sure beats their mother’s extensive sticky notes strategy…
Planners are the Best Way for Students to Stay Organized
My kids learned this the hard way. With their busy schedules, they can spend the entire school year feeling lost without a physical planner. They are adept at using Google Drive, something in their teen brains didn’t quite connect real life with the tasks in an online calendar.
For many kids just learning to manage their time, it’s incredibly helpful to see their time laid out visually. While I’m sure that every kid benefits from seeing the big picture of their day, week, or month, for my child with ADHD, planners are essential. Planners are a key tool, helping them to learn to take ownership of their time. Planners help build time-awareness or time management skills something many folks with ADHD need help with.
Recent studies show that taking notes and writing things down cements information in the brain. Writing works on the brain in a way that typing just can’t match. Putting pen to paper literally helps the brain light up. When we write or draw, electrical activity across several areas of the brain activates, making the process even more impactful.
Then there’s the issue of electronic devices being distracting. I wish I could say this was more relevant for my kid with ADHD, but how many times have I opened my calendar on my phone with good intentions, only to end up playing three rounds of solitaire, checking my online banking, or getting sidetracked by a news alert?
Planners Help Students Keep Academic and Real-Life Organized
All this to say, physical planners help cut through those distractions and keep kids focused on what truly matters. Both in terms of a kid’s academic year and their social life.
Below are some great planners that will help students keep track of everything from due dates and to-do lists to appointments and practices.
Best planners for tracking assignments, exams, and academic goals.
For older students in high school and beyond, more detailed planners are a game-changer. These options provide an academic overview and a detailed look at assignments and due dates, helping students stay on top of their workload. Importantly, these planners also help balance busy academic schedules with extracurricular activities, ensuring older kids can manage all their commitments effectively.
Five Star Planner 2024-2025 Academic, Weekly & Monthly Advance Student Planner
I know I’m big on writing things down, and science backs me up on this. But for a kid who wants to incorporate their mobile device or other tech into their time management strategy, the Five Star Planner offers the best of both worlds. This printed planner allows students to sync their planner to their phone with the Five Star Study App. They can scan planner pages to track and manage assignments, accessing them anywhere, anytime. More detailed planners including academic year overview and due dates. The planner also lets students see their academic work for the entire month, or broken down day by day and subject by subject, making it versatile and functional for all their needs.
Order Out Of Chaos Planner 2024
Ultimate Personalized academic planner for students
For students who cannot find just what they are looking for in a standard daily planner, a personalized option may be the best option. BeatificDotCo available on Etsy Canada, offers many planners – including this completely personalized academic planner. This can be tailored for any personal preferences froom its cover to its page layout, this planner can meet the needs of many students.
Paper Planners to Help Younger Students Keep Organized
For the younger child who is new to the world of student planners, getting them accustomed to the idea is key. These options introduce kids to the concept of weekly planners and class schedules with fun designs and easy-to-follow to-do lists. Notepads to easy digital downloads make planning less overwhelming and keep it simple and fun.
Editable Back-to-School Elementary School Planner Printable
The best Student Planners keep it Fun and Functional
The best student planners keep it fun and functional. Whether your child needs to manage their daily schedule or plan out their entire academic year, the right planner can make a world of difference. The best student planners make it enjoyable for kids to stay on top of their busy schedules, turning getting organized into a fun and engaging activity.
Whether they’re in elementary school, navigating high school or heading off to college, finding the perfect planner can make the journey smoother, more organized, and even a little bit fun.
Of course, when it comes to planning and students, financial planning can also play a huge role. Check out our post on Scholarships that Support Black Students to find financial support to achieve their dreams.
