Between lengthy assignments, complicated projects and fast approaching deadlines, the average East Meck student has an abundance of work to complete in a limited amount of time. This is why many turn to planers to stay organized. Their date-based structure makes them a viable option for students and teachers alike. However, many dislike them and opt for more individualized tools.
Because of their various disadvantages, sophomore Aashi Arya doesn’t use a planner. Arya feels like they’re more of a burden than an aid.
“It doesn’t give me a lot of space to properly articulate things and mostly just takes up space in my bag,” Arya said.
If you’re someone who needs to write notes about every facet of your schedule, they might feel stifling. They can also be on the larger side, which can make them detrimental to people who already have a lot to carry. One of the biggest faults of the planner is the simple reality that people can be forgetful. “I won’t put my assignments in there in the first place,” Arya said. “And even if I do, I know that when I go home, I’m not taking out that planner. I completely forget about it.”
Despite the popularity of the planner, many people utilize alternative tools. An example is Applications and Statistics teacher Rachel Sawyer. Swayer doesn’t use any flashy organization methods, instead opting to use her own;. At the beginning of each week, she uses a notepad to jot down her duties next to their due date. She scratches these tasks out as they’re completed, allowing her to keep track of what she’s finished and what she still needs to do. Sawyer feels like planners aren’t as useful for her because they don’t allow her to look at all her tasks at once. “With the planner, sometimes you have to flip multiple pages- whereas with this, I can see everything in one snapshot,” Sawyer said.
We could all benefit from being a little more organized. So, whether you’re the planner final boss, or a to-do list warrior, remember that organization should be practical, personal and not dependent on what’s popular.
