With November signaling the end of the new school year “honeymoon” stage, classes have established their rigor, and routine assignments are set in stone. Combined with extracurricular activities, the workload seems to pile up for many students, and the lofty ideas of optimal organization from the beginning of the year may begin to dwindle. However, one last hope still exists for those dreaming of orderly schedules: online planners.
The internet offers numerous free online planner websites, and many computers include a planner program. Though paper planners hold similar attributes to those online, the efficiency of digital planners offers an advantage over a physical list; senior Clara Gordon switched from a paper planner to Widget Memo, a desktop program on her computer, due to convenience.
“I’m on my computer so much anyways that it’s just easier than getting out my backpack and pulling out a pencil,” Gordon said
Similarly, sophomore Ava Leddick transitioned from paper to online planner in response to class structure.
“I had a teacher this year that didn’t really provide the time to get out a paper planner, which was my original plan this year, so I started using an online [one] just because I always have my computer open and it just seemed more efficient,” Leddick said.
Leddick utilizes Notion — a free planner website — which offers not only the opportunity to organize tasks but also to take notes. The website allows Leddick to habitually list out each task and highlight important dates which ultimately leads her to follow through on the list.
“I get more things done just because I tend to be more consistent with actually writing them down; it’s easier to write down when it’s online, and I end up keeping track of everything better and getting everything done,” Leddick said.
Though digital planners appeal to students in their efficiency, some students, such as junior Adeline Botts, may still prefer and find success in orderly paper planners.
“Having a physical book helps me keep my list separate from my schoolwork,” Botts said. “Personally, I know my learning style is very paper-oriented, like old-school, and there’s a satisfaction with checking it off.”
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on November 30, 2023.
