Trying To Plan My Life

I have created an account that is more towards my current progress in the bullet journal making and the updated changes in my journey. Hence, I might continue this account in the near future again when I have any more content that I would like to express and create a stable platform in Tumblr as PLANNERRAH.

I have always been curious about having a digital bullet journal but I never got to actually proceed with that thought. Now the time has come, I am having sorts of difficulty and I can't help but compare the differences between having a physical and digital bullet journal.

Therefore, in the end I went for the safest choice possible as a beginner in the digital world. Even though it was simple and straightforward, it is functional enough to be a digital planner. When I came across a Youtuber named Elena Studies. I was amazed and feel in love with her simplicity of journaling. There are other great planners as well. DIgital planning or bullet journaling has a wide audience that are currently trying out or are already in the community for a long time.

Thus, I planned to use the digital planner frequently in order to get used to the process. As well as create as many stickers for my digital planners. I have created my stickers sheets which can be viewed on my Instagram. Although, I have to make a wide variety of selection in order for me to have a different set of colour for a specific theme. 

The applications that I am using are GoodNotes 5 for the writings and Procreate for extra sticky notes and stickers. For further information on my thoughts regarding GoodNotes 5, you can refer to my previous post. Procreate is an app that is used to create sketches, drawings, paintings, animation with a variety of selection tools. The designs made on Procreate can also be exported and imported from Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Which is useful for me whenever I have a big scale design that might need further adjustments. 

As I have mentioned in my previous post, here is the continuation of the study notes series two of how I try to make notes and how I structured my notes the way I preferred.

As of lately, I had a go at doing my notes on the modules I took at whatever point I am in class or simply doing a rundown note of the week on my iPad. In spite of the fact that I currently can't seem to discover the structure that accommodates my preference in improving the digital notes better. These formats that I have been using for my Business notes are my present most loved style that allows me to occupy in the spaces well overall.

According to the video, I have a different structure of notes for various modules. On the other hand, some of the modules that don't necessarily require too much information I just take note of the assignments and my research of the whole project as well as the end result. This allows me to take note that I have completed my assignments and I can refer back to the notes if I were to need the information in the near future.

For my business management modules, I used the structure of a two column page in A3 size. The size and layout helps me to gather all the information into one page and make use of the space accordingly. However, for other modules shown in the video there are different structure used. Due to the fact that most of their information required full use of the page without any interruptions.

The application I used to make notes are concepts and goodnotes 5. The one shown on the video is goodnotes 5, this application helps me with making notes easier by topics and subjects. It allows me to create a folder based on the semester as well as creating an outline that makes the table content feature to be enabled. Which helps with identifying the topics of a certain subject more easily through outline or by searching.

Ever since last month, I have been indecisive and always have been wanting to experiment using the digital style of planners or built journaling. Thus, in September 2020, I started to experiment with the use of digital journaling. However, I sort of find it hard to execute due the process of the flow of writing is not equivalent as on a physical paper. As well as, the decoration elements have to be created from scratch and looking into account of different sizes and colour correction.

Although I created this digital spread, I have been doing the normal routine on my physical planner. As this digital piece was just an experimentation of if it suits my taste and if it were easier to do. Which it wasn’t unless I had all the sticky notes, stickers, washi tapes all created in the first place. 

Consequently, I began to simply follow my past spread system and that is by utilizing an organizer styled month to month schedule and simply fill in the critical daily agenda of the day, week, or month.With a minimum of sticky notes, washi tapes, pictures, etc.

As I have mentioned in my previous post, I prefer to take notes and keep my studies in a notebook as it helps my memorization more when revising.

Hence, I thought why not simply show everyone how I do my notes and how I managed to do my notes on my iPad as well to show the difference. Despite my attemptsto reduce my usage of ink and printing, I am still exploring different styles regarding my decision if it is suitable for me. Another reason behind why I don't prefer to read my notes on a digital screen is that it strains my eyes too much with the brightness as I am wearing spectacles. Hence, why I prefer an actual physical book full of notes.

These notebooks were made during my A Level days that I took Accounting and Business Administration as one of my subjects. These two books were very useful for me as I didn't have to carry my heavy textbooks around if I were to go have a small revision.

As found in the video, I like to have a particular tone for my notes and these are only my ongoing ones. My other different subjects have more lively shading coordination on my notes. Unfortunately, I know where I kept it, however it's so difficult to reach so I was unable to snap a photo and make a video of it.

Apparently, one post can only include one video so here I am going to continue this study notes into a series of two for an inside look. An inside look of how I take notes on my iPad and if it works for me. See you in the next post! :)

Ps. excuse my akward hands haha :)

I have just recently purchased an iPad with an Apple Pencil and I began to write my notes whenever I'm in class, for study notes on specific modules. 

I attempted to reduce the use of ink and paper for printing. However, I am the sort of type to have an actual duplicate which is more appropriate for my learning process. Nevertheless, I began to google and watched a ton of youtube videos of which application is the go-to application for notetaking and drawings. As I probably am aware my modules will begin to have more design drawing assignments. 

Here are the ones that I’ve come across when I made my research and there are only a few that I use as of now: 

Concepts (Check it on iOS & Android) 

An application that is flexible for sketching plans, writing notes, doodle, mindmaps, etc. 

It has an infinite canvas that you can shift into a bigger scale or a smaller scale section with multiple paper styles selection and colours. 

It has a colour wheel of COPIC and a variety of pens and brushes tools which for are suitable for me to use.

GoodNotes  (Check it on iOS)

This application allows your iPad to become a smart digital note. It has a different feature that enables you to customize it exactly like a bullet journal physically.

Allows the notes to import or export PDF documents, pictures, powerpoint, etc. 

It has a folder mechanism that allows you to compile your notes into one and this creates easier navigation of finding your document.

Google Docs (Check it on iOS & Android)

This application helps you to create your notes, assignments and allows you to edit on the go. It allows you to edit with the people you share the document with which helps with group projects. 

It also allows the exports and download to a suitable preference whether it will be in PDF form or in Word form which some university prefers document in Word form and some preferred to be in PDF form. 

 Paper, Collect, Paste by WeTransfer  (Check it on iOS & Android)

The applications made by WeTransfer are divided into three types which are Paper, Collect and Paste. 

Paper allows you to sketch and document your information into the application. It has a variety of selection and has a feature that shows you that you store your documents like an actual book.

Collect is like an application where you can store a moodboard sort of style and you can save everything to have an inspiration for the design. It also allows you to share your boards with other people. 

Paste refers to a design making slides that allows you to edit, import, export and be creative with your slides that can be shared with others on the platform. 

WeTransfer is basically like a design based application which can be seen from these three applications. In my opinion, these applications are similar to google in terms of google docs and slides. 

The changes I made throughout my system was barely a drastic change, it is a mixture of using the notebook as well as a sketchbook. The timeframe of when my system of bullet journaling changed depending on my mood and if I have extra time to fully be creative with my spreads. 

Before proceeding with the timeline, I started my journey with these selection of notebooks, planners, etc. 

Bujo 2017 - A5 Double Ringed Spiral Notebook with a grid layout.

Bujo Jan 2018 - Slim Note (Grid) Thread Sew Binding GoodKraft Notebook with a dotted layout.

Bujo Aug 2018 - A5 Notebook with single column lined layout.

Bujo 2019 - A5 MUJI Schedule Note with two different layouts.  

JANUARY, 2017

During this period of time, I was still a beginner in bullet journaling and I opted for the simple and functional system to play safe. As I was still getting used to taking note of what I am supposed to do in a book and not just in a piece of paper. 

MAY 2017

I was slowly getting used to the process of bullet journaling and started to decorate the way I like to make it more appealing. More appealing in terms of the fact that I want my bujo to encourage me to fill in the blanks with what I needed to achieve in a day or week. 

On the other hand, my AS Examination was coming up and this allowed me to keep track of whether I have revised my subjects or not. As well as it allows me to take note of when the examination occurred. The structure of this system was suitable for my daily to-do and the fact that I have to be aware of my important days on the first page of the month.  

JANUARY 2018

During this period of time, I have just finished my A Levels and was waiting for results. Hence, I have plenty of time on my hands to decorate and be more creative with my bullet journal. I have planned what colour I wanted to use for the month and which pictures to use. This type of bullet journal in my opinion, needs a lot of care and time to plan but the overall process made it exciting. Hence, it was not very difficult for me to create the spreads, even though it has to be planned thoroughly, the end result of the spread was very satisfying to me. 

AUGUST 2018

My bullet journal has changed at this point, due to the fact that my university life has started and I would be very busy with assignments. That I would be unable to commit myself to fully be creative on my spreads. Although, I managed to be functional as well as creative in terms of my colour combinations and there were less pictures and more towards texts. 

This system was a mixture of a dairy, a to-do list, an information dump that I was making notes as well mind mapping in this notebook. Hence, I pretty much love this spread but it was a little bit personal for me to fully share the content. 

JANUARY 2019

A new semester starts which means a fresh planner for me. If I'm not mistaken this is actually my first attempt at using a planner rather than my usual notebooks. As you can see I tried to have as many functionality aspects into the spreads. Due to the fact that I felt that by doing a planner, it restricts a person’s creativity into a small box. Which is why I had a variety of sticky notes all over my spreads. 

MAY 2020

At this point of the schedule note, there are two design layouts inside the book and when it happens to be May that caught up to the new change. At first I was blank and unable to create a solution for the new layout. Hence, why I was unable to finish writing my to-do list. May 2020 was the last month of last semester and it was a hectic time that I guess I was unable to write down my to-do list on my planner. 

AUG -SEPT 2020

After what I went through last May, I managed to try and overcome the fear of writing in the new layout that was out of my usual style. However, along the way I kind of go with the flow and write as much as I can in any of the spaces according to the days. Even though it might look messy but I feel like it has its own uniqueness and aesthetic to this layout. 

AUGUST 2018 JOURNAL SPREAD

During this time this style of spread was made after the aesthetic style with various designs and pictures set up. Which was a ton of work for me since my college life has quite recently begun. In this way, I choose a simple, functional and direct spread system that I can have multiple functions actualized.

The system journals utilized in these spreads were a combination of the plan for the day, task data, doodles, extra notes, and a journal of the day or week. This setting has helped me to monitor all the data I required for the semester in one book. I have utilized the book for class notes, assignment information dump, syllabus of almost all of the modules I took for the semester. As well as the location of certain modules as we have always changed the lecture room or for instance, I don't recall due to a hectic timetable.

To be honest, I rarely use apps to keep track of my productivity as I have always preferred to write important things in my current planners or bullet journal. As I always write or post a sticky notes on my laptop to be updated with important information. Due to the fact that my go-to memorization tips have always been colour coding and writing as well as speaking my lines to better understand what I am writing. Apart from that, I have difficulties to stay focused whenever I search for information on my mobile phone, it has so many elements of distraction. 

However, I have tried using a productivity app to stay focused and here are the applications that I use on the daily:

Forest 

This App helps you to stay focused on your work and stray away from distractions. 

The App collects your productivity by planting a seed and it slowly will become a full forest when you study and do work for a long period of time in one day. 

Google Drive 

Consist of Docs, Sheets, Slides, Form.

It helps with the ease of use in almost any devices with the use of an email address. 

Allows me to keep track of my notes and assignments into one big file on the internet. 

Microsoft Office 

Consists of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Team. 

I mostly use Microsoft whenever I use my laptop cause It is easier and I can do so many things on Word. 

I have been frequently using Microsoft Teams because my university used the App for lectures and meetings with colleagues. 

Canvas Student 

This is an App that my university uses for announcements, assignment updates, etc. 

This App helps with keeping track of the assignments as it has a calendar. I can keep track of the assignments on the calendar which is easier for me.

If you have seen my previous post, you might have noticed that I have a lot of stationeries (which I do). 

Before I started to even invest my time on bullet journaling, I was interested in calligraphy and writing notes for my studies. For my high school days, I prefer to write my notes in order to fully understand and memorise what I was learning. Colour coordinating and arranging my notes by colours was one of the things I did when I was younger. As it helps me to acknowledge which colour identifies a certain subject or topic. Therefore, it was not surprising for me to have a lot of stationeries to begin with. 

Over the years, my collection of stationeries have grown and the only picture taken of the collection was only in my early days of bullet journaling. Even then my collection already has been a great quantity. For instance, my green stash of stationeries at that time. 

Before I start to list down my stationeries that I use for my everyday use and bullet journaling. In order to start planning and bullet journaling you don't have to have a fancy collection. You can start with just anything and just go with the flow!

In my case, I actually just started with my usual pens, highlighters and a Daiso notebook. The quality and quantity does not matter when you just started it matters when you already know your preference of style in terms of bullet journaling. For instance, the quality of the paper does not suit your handwriting or the paper is too thin that it bleeds through or even the pen tip preference, etc.

Here are my collection of stationeries as of Nov 2020:

Pens & Brushes

Tombow Dual Brush Pen 22/108 colours.

Pentel Fude Touch Brush Sign Pen sets.

Koi Coloring Brush Pen sets of 12. 

STAEDTLER triplus color set.

STAEDTLER triplus fineliner set.

STABILO point 88 20/47.

Crayola super tips 20 Markers. 

Crayola Pip Squeaks Markers. 

MUJI pens.

Zebra Mildliners Highlighter.

Pilot G-1 Grip pens. 

Washi Tapes

MT masking tapes.

Daiso washi tapes.

Best Eastern washi tapes.

MUJI masking tapes.

General store washi tapes.

Others

Sticky Notes, Notepads, Assorted Bookmarks, Assorted papers, etc.

MAY 2018 WEEKLY SPREAD

When deciding on a new month spread, choosing a colour combination is the first thing that I usually do before I decorate the whole weekly spread. I try to take pictures of the spread at the end of the week before uploading my content. As well as creating the layout of my next week’s spread after posting. 

The fact that I have a full stash of washi tapes, it allows me to fully decorate the way that I like and combine both different washi elements into a masterpiece in my opinion. At the same time, the pictures were taken from Pinterest, the colour combinations and more of my inspiration for colours comes from Pinterest. As much as possible, I plan my weekly spread theme early to have all the necessary essentials ready to have a smooth decorating time.

I have more plans and updates on my layout spread system that I changed in my style of planning over the years. Which would be an incoming post! See you soon happy reading! :))

In continuation of the last bujo experience, in the starting year of 2018, I decided to try changing my style of making spreads of the month as I have finished A Levels and starting my new journey of adulting. Hence, I was thinking of something more artistic and aesthetic sense of style. Whereas, I tried to focus more on my spreads rather than my flatlays to create more vibrant and possibly create a masterpiece.

Photo from @lifeofeema on Instagram.

I have gotten the love for scrapbooking from my mother and I naturally used my skills for my bullet journal to enhance more of my artistic aspect. The process of making the spreads was very calming to me and I can end up doing my spreads almost all day without noticing. Throughout the process, I was trying so hard not to be perfect with my spread and to just go with the flow.

Photo from @lifeofeema on Instagram.

The difference of the style from last year’s spread was the style and the spreads are more vibrant. This spread has more purpose other than keeping track of the daily to-do list but also the water tracker of the day.

Photo from @lifeofeema on Instagram. 

The stationery used and showcased on the picture are:

Washi tapes from MT masking tape, Best eastern and Daiso.

Pens from Tombow Dual Brush Pens, Muji Gel Pens, Pilot G-1 Grip,  STAEDTLER triplus fineliner, Zebra Mildliner Pens and Pentel Touch Brush.

Clips and Board from Kaison.

Pictures and tags are from the actual store or Pinterest pictures on the internet.

Polaroid picture taken by Eema @lifeofeema on Instagram.

Notebook from Slim Note (Grid) Thread Sew Binding GoodKraft Notebook, 21x12cm in dotted layout.

Keyboard from Logitech K380 in white.

I don’t really remember when I started but I do remember the time I started to post on Instagram around the year 2017. At that time, I was trying out the styles and playing with colours that would suit the best possible method for me. In 2017, it was my final year in 6th form and that was the busiest time when my examination was around the corner. However, oddly enough I have time to post and take pictures of my spreads back then. 

This was one of the first few posts of my spreads and you can basically tell I am obsessed with my stationery. This spread was more functional and a little bit of an aesthetic sense of style. In terms of the headers, pictures and the colour combination of the spread. Apart from that, I concentrated more on my flatlays to bring out more colours to the spreads. On the other hand, I lost my early stages of the spreads folder and I just screenshotted this picture from my Instagram. Hehe sorry for bad quality.

Photos from @lifeofeema on Instagram.

This is my July 2017 spread and I have kept on using the same concept style of spread from my May 2017, due to the fact that it was the best system for me. Since it is simple but functional, that is straight forward for my limited time to further decorate my spreads. Hence, I decided to focus more on my flatlays and I usually do flatlays and take pictures on the weekends that I mostly have free time. 

Every individual has their own preference on which function of spreads they prefer to have and which is more easier to display their daily task. Therefore, there are different styles of bullet journal due to personal preference of having minimal and clean spreads or full of decoration to their own preferred taste.  

There are multiple types of bullet journalling and there is no definite definition of a bullet journal. Every individual can have each and every different characteristics and their own way of defining a bullet journal.

Bullet journals are like a personal diary that we write our daily task and insert our very own personal thoughts into. As well as, all the further additional information can be inserted without the feeling of having limited space to write on. Moreover, bullet journals do not have a specific schedule and are more flexible in terms of the date as well as the space used.

To compare with planners, planners are more straight to the point and more towards just planning their daily task and to-do list in a more organized way. Planner has a monthly and yearly overview that are already inserted which saves up time to create the table and just inserts the task to do. However, planners limit the preference of having a customizable layout and hinders the creativity aspects to flourish. As it does not have sufficient space for sketches, trackers or any additional information.

Bullet Journaling refers to a type of journal that is full of tasks that consist of trackers, to do lists, doodles, sketches and personal thoughts inserts.

It is basically a customized planner. 

Here is an example of a bullet journal based on an artistic type of bujo style: 

There is a certain terminology used in the bullet journalling community to identify certain features.

bujo - short for bullet journal

keys - sets of symbols used to identify for a finished, cancelled task. The keys can be identified in colours as well to differentiate the different types of importance. 

flatlays - is a photo taken from a certain point of view of the spreads or objects arranged on a surface showcasing everything. 

spreads/log -  it is one or two full pages that is filled by a weekly, monthly or yearly time tracker consists of a certain theme. Theme that detailed the spendings, to-do list of the day, books to read or any wishlists. 

studyblr - study + tumblr, it is a tumblr that posts about their notes, spreads or anything related to studying. 

Hello everyone :) Let me first officially start this blog by introducing myself and what my aim for this blog would be in the future.

I’m Ema, the one that will handle postings and create content for this blog to be my studyblr or better known as a study blog. This account is for expressing my obsession with planning and experimenting multiple styles as much as possible. I will be posting longer contents as possible regarding my old and current planning styles and why I prefer some of the styles more than others. I will also most likely change my plans of content but it will still be related to planning.

Even Though I have been planning or bullet journaling for a long time, I am still in my experimentation process in identifying the styles that fully suit my interest as well as finding my styles in general.

I hope I can fully commit myself to planning and posting at the same time. Though, the irony of this account, I have planned this post a long time ago but assignments kept on piling up which has hindered the actual posting process even though it was already planned. HA HA HA

To be more updated on my current styles, feel free to check out my Instagram @plannerrah :)

When I think about it, I used to have a studyblr account but I forgot which emails I used HUHU :((

THOUGH I still have my studygram account on Instagram, feel free to check it out if you are curious @lifeofeema :) Do take note that it might be cringy HAHAHA cause that was a longggg time ago and I have tried multiple times to keep it alive.