An Organized Life Might Be Cool

i know, i know, i’m a little bit early. it’s all good, i have anxiety, i plan ahead constantly. i figured i’d share some of my plans to prepare myself for heading back to school.

1. fix your sleep schedule

for school i wake up at 6:30, in the summer i wake up at 12. and recently i decided to fuck that up even more by pulling an all-nighter and just, in general, screwing up my sleep schedule. i’ll need about a month to fix all this damage, but in general, you should start reacquainting yourself with your school schedule about two weeks before you have to head back.

2. figure out your note keeping system

i’m switching things up this year, and i won’t be using the binder system i’ve had all throughout high school. it’s simply to heavy for my walk to and from school. instead, i’ll be using a filing folder, and keeping loose leaf paper, as well as the week’s lessons in there, and once the week is over, i’ll transfer my notes to the binder system at home, which should limit the weight i carry. also, this’ll force me to have better organization, and hopefully make weekly review easier. just as a rule of thumb, refreshing your note keeping system is something you should do annually, at the start of a new year or even before a new semester; you know what’s been working and what hasn’t been.

3. gather breakfast ideas

i have about ten minutes scheduled in my morning routine during the school year for breakfast. and about five of those minutes are spent figuring out what to eat. i want to gather simple breakfast ideas that i can test out now, so i don’t waste time deciding what to eat. this just, in general, makes mornings less of a hassle and can help make sure you’re getting a good start to the day.

4. take stock of your supplies

i need a lunchbag and highlighters, my previous ones are no longer able to function, so i need to replace them. i don’t, however, need new pencils, i have plenty. doing an inventory check can really help prevent buying duplicates of something you thought you didn’t have.

5. create achievable goals

this year is my final year of high school, and then i’m off to university, most of my goals centre around applications and just graduating. but there are other things i know i need to do. embracing study habits for one. i’m hoping to do so by staying in the library after school instead of walking home right away because i know i can’t get work done as effectively at home. i’ll also be doing a review for exams all throughout the year, instead of the day before, by creating flashcards and mindmaps for each days lesson. set a general goal, then add the steps you’ll need to take to achieve it.

6. check your courses

i’m dropping out of physics because i don’t need to be taking it and it will give me a spare instead of a full course load. i need to talk to my guidance counsellor before school starts because of it. as well, i like to make sure i’m in the correct classes and that my schedule is as balanced as possible. some schools may not allow this for regular students, mine does. make sure you’re taking what you need to take and what will allow you to succeed.

7. put dates in your planner

my school offers a tentative list of events going on through the year, with set exam and break times. i like to keep track of these, and setting them in my planner makes it easier to see how my year will play out. if your school doesn’t offer this, check out past years scheduling so that you have a general feel for how your year will go.

me: ok so we’ll work hard then?

May ☁️ monthly and goals

here’s a look at all the stationery i got in japan and my review of them!

muji a5 monthly schedule - i absolutely LOVE this! i hate making monthly spreads in my bullet journal because it takes so much time but using this makes it so much easier to plan my month out ★★★★★/5

zebra sarasa clip 0.5mm gel pens - these write so smoothly i love them omg and the colors i got are so pretty ★★★★★/5

zebra airfit lt 0.5mm pencil - super nice but i wish the grip was a little more comfy ★★★★/5

mt washi tape - it’s washi tape. what’s not to love about it. ★★★★★/5

page flags - these are sooo cute i love them so much ★★★★★/5

thought bubble sticky notes - (sorry idk the brand) super cute but there’s like a glossy coating on the paper which makes it hard to write on ★★/5

muji glue tape - i use this to glue my sticky notes and other papers to my bullet journal and it works great i love it ★★★★★/5

muji key ring notecards - i use these as flashcards and i love how i can keep everything together with the key ring!! kinda wish i got a bigger size tho ★★★★/5

28th october 2016 / i’m taking a break from 100 days of productivity because i’m trying to prioritise my mental health and it was the best thing to do.

i’m using muji 0.38 pens. they’re really smooth to write with and they don’t really bleed a lot.

you could also check stabilo and staestler out! I’ve never used these but you can check @studyign ’s video for a demo!!

Last January I gave a rundown of the planners that I’ve used in the past and the planners that I currently use. A few of you emailed me over my winter break looking for an update to my last post.  While it’s only January 6th some planners are sold out, or close to sold out.  Hopefully this planner rundown will help you figure out which planner is right for your.  

Every year, I want to run out and buy the Kate Spade planner, it’s super cute and filled with whimsy.  This year they covered it in gold polka dots and I about died. But, I know that that would be the worst planner for me, because it doesn’t function how I function.  It’s a great planner, just not a great planner for how I think. And if my planner doesn’t work the way I do, by March I won’t be using it anymore, and my life would get progressively more unorganized.  Trust me I’ve been down that road before… and it sucks.  For those of you who feel like your planner isn’t cutting it,  I’m going to give you a breakdown of the planners I’ve owned in the past few years and how each of them work, or don’t work.  This breakdown will also feature ways to use each planner if you have buyers remorse.

Russell + Hazel // Moleskine // Graphic Image // Moleskine // Martha Stewart // Erin Conderen // Emily Ley // Kate Spade // Whitney English

GRAPHIC IMAGE -  2014 DESK DIARY BRIGHTS LEATHER

Function: This is a great day planner if you want to plan out your day by the hour.  Each day gets it’s very own page with 2 lines per hour.  You day starts at 8 and ends at 5 with a little room for the evening.  You also get a few lines for notes on each day.  Saturday and Sunday share a page.  On the weekends you kick things off at 9 and end at 6, with 3 hour break downs.  At the beginning of the planner you have monthly calendars spread out over two pages.  

Who This Is Great For: This is planner is great if your schedule is always changing or you sometimes need room to take notes.  If you rack up frequent flyer miles like cord wood, the 70 pages of extras including; maps of major cities, hotels, conversion chart, address book, expense records, international travel guide with key phrases will suit you perfectly..    I have the Neiman Marcus Edition that has a few more pages devoted to, you guessed it Neiman Marcus.  With is slightly compact size this planner fits in most handbags without a problem.  I keep this in my bag at all times and use the pages for scratch paper.  

Options: This comes in a plethora of colors from neon to neutral.  If you want all the options here you have to stick with the desk diary, but if you are looking for something smaller the pocket datebooks make a great option and still included a ton of extras.

Why it Didn’t Work Me: While my day to day schedule does change, it doesn’t change in a way that I need to keep track of things hour by hour.   The planner also doesn’t leave enough room for someone who writes bigs, and loves a good to do list. Finally my biggest complaint is how thin the paper is.  Now I realize that keeping the paper thin keeps the weight and bulk of the planner down, but Le Pen, Pilot Frixion, Sharpie Pen, Papermate Ink Joy, Stablio and Pentel Metallic Gel all show through.  I’m also a fan of bright white paper, so I can use correction tape when need be, and this planners pages are cream.  

Other Uses:  This is planner resides in my purse, and functions as a note book.  I jot down ideas, use the occasional page as scratch paper and in pinch I have a map of major cities and airports. This planner also makes a great journal if find yourself not using this for a planner.

Price: $34 - $97 Price varies based on size and leather.  

ERIN CONDREN - 2013 LIFE PLANNERS

Function: Food Diary, Sleep Journal For Baby, Academic Planner, Gratitude Journal and classic Day Planner.  With the basic Morning, Day, Night layout you can really make this planner your own.  Each monthly page is tabbed to make it easy to find your spot.  Every month and most  weeks include a section for to do and goals.  You also get 20 pages of lined and designer blank pages for notes and sketches, 1 page for important numbers, with a backside to keep addresses handy, 240 colorful stickers to highlight birthdays, special events and reminders, a “keep it together" folder to wrangle receipts, stamps, and other papers, bound-in zip lock pocket with 12 gift labels and “let’s get together” cards, a laminated place marker that pops in and out with ease and plenty of  inspirational quotes throughout. This year they even included room for a little bit of meal planning.

Who This Is Great For: This planner is perfect for students or people how to keep track of projects.  I would also recommend this planner for bloggers looking to keep a tighter editorial calendar.  Its bulkier size and spiral binding doesn’t make great for handbags.  If you carry something slightly larger on a daily basis,  than this planner will be no problem.

If you have a tight schedule that you need to keep track day by day or have a lot of things on your plate, I wouldn’t recommend this for you. There isn’t a lot of space for each day so you need to write small or not have a lot going on.  The bright white paper in this planner is fantastic and works will all of my pens (Le Pen, Pilot Frixion, Sharpie Pen, Papermate Ink Joy, Stablio and Pentel Metallic Gel).

Options: You can add stickers, personal photos, get matching notepads and even throw in a pen set.  You even shop the rest of Erin Condren for coordinating trays, and stationery.

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  Again I write on the big side of things, and I have a love for to do lists that will never die.  All of that coupled with the small boxes and morning, day, night breakdown make this planner a dud.  I’m a big fan of color but these planners almost over do it.  Every month has a color them and that theme can be found on each page. The extra notes pages also feature a range of colorful designs. My inner 15 year old would die over this planner, maybe even my 20 something self, but my not so 20 something self isn’t feeling the color overload.  Personally I didn’t like running around with a planner fit for a high school or college student.  It’s not a planner that looks or feels professional.

Other Uses:  If you are a new mom keeping track of feeding, pooping, and sleeping the morning, afternoon, night break down is perfect for you.  This also makes a great menu planner/food journal.  You can keep track of your meals, calories or points (weight watchers),  along with snacks, and how often you work out.  I had planner year and turned it into a editorial calendar and invoice tracker.  It never left my office, but it got the job done.  

Price: $50 - $100 All of the options have an upgrade charge so the price of this planner really depends on what you add to it. I have to admit the extra stickers, pens, notebook paper,  and notepads were my favorite part.  When it comes to accessories Erin Condren really delivers, my planner came with a sampling of her other products from call me cards, to gift labels.  

CRYSTAL WILKERSON DESIGNS - 2014 LIFE PLANNER

Function: This is a perfect planner for someone who manages a household or is looking for a home management system .  There is plenty of options for you to have a section for each family member.  You also get a section for meal planning.  It covers, daily meals, what’s in your pantry, recipe sheets, freezer sheet, grocery lists and more.  Crystal also includes a section to help you manage your money, blog, and spiritual life.

Who This Is Great For: If you are looking for a planner that does more than just keep your schedule this is for you.  Crystal has added a lot of personal touches for you to focus on.  This is a planner that wants to help you create the best you for 2013.  Even if you don’t use the planner pages, this great for a Life Goal Journal.

Options: Since you can print to your hearts content the sky is really the limit on options.  Small or Large, 3 hole punch or use a disc notebook, print it all or just as you need it.  

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  Since you are printing your own planner the cost isn’t really $39.95.  Once you factor in ink, quality paper, binder or disc bound notebook, this planner comes out to around 70 to 90 dollars depending on how much printer ink you already have on hand and if you decide to print the whole year.  While it’s great that you can re-print pages that you’ve filled, the cost is a bit much.  There are a few religious pages from Christmas prep to scripture study.  This wasn’t a problem for me, but if you try to avoid this sort of thing, it’s something to think about.  

Other Uses:  Crystal has a lot of great pages included from daily means, what’s in your pantry, freezer sheets, gratitude.  These are sheets that come in handy even if you aren’t printing out the whole planner.  

Price: $39.95 Remember you have to print this planner so you might want to add on at least 30 to 50 dollars for the cost of ink, paper, and something to store your planner in.  

STAPLES - MARTHA STEWART CALENDARS

Function: These planners breaks down by your day by morning, afternoon and evening with space for a to do and meal planning.  The weekly layout also leaves room for tasks and a quick view of the upcoming month.

Who This Is Great For: If you like the Erin Condren planners layout but need a little more flexibility and a grown up sensibility this is the perfect planner for you.   If you want to mix and match the planner works well with the Crystal Wilkerson Life Planner and Russell & Hazel Smart Date Pages.

Options: Binder, Disc bound, Spiral, Pocket or Leather Bound Martha has an option for you.  They also come in desk and pocket size with the classic martha blue, pink, and black on cream medium weight paper. The disc bound and binder option have plenty of accessories to purchase.

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  I need more room for notes and to do’s, this didn’t offer enough of that.

Other Uses: This planner is similar to the Erin Condren planners and thus could work as a new mom journal for keeping track of feeding, pooping, and sleeping the morning, afternoon, night break down is perfect for you.  This also makes a great menu planner/food journal.  You can keep track of your meals, calories or points (weight watchers),  along with snacks, and how often you work out.

Price:With so many options the price ranges based on your needs.  You can spend anywhere from $10.99 to $50.

MILLIMETER MILLIGRAM - DRAW YOUR TOMORROW

Function: This planner has space for notes and lists, while each day doesn’t get it’s own page the layout still leaves plenty of room to write. The larger format, is nice and big and fat, and occupies a good chunk of desk space when fully open. Strong ring bindings are durable and lay flat, or can be opened all the way around. Thick waterproof PVC cover is slightly cushy and has inside pockets for loose papers. Even though it doesn’t have spiral binding you can fold it over to take up less space.  

Who This Is Great For: This is great for someone who needs a place to take a few notes, doodle or sketch, along with keeping your to do list in order.  

Options: Different colors and sizes make this the perfect option no matter your budget or taste.  This is calendar is available undated so you can pick this up anytime this year and not feel like you’re wasting money.  

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  This planner did work for me, I used it for two years, not as a daily planner, but as a place to keep track of to do lists.  

Other Uses: If you are a list maker or find yourself need to keep track of notes this is the planner for you.  

Price: $26 for small and $38 for large, make this planner a wonderful alternative if you wanted The Day Designer but didn’t want The Day Designer price tag.  

ERIN CONDREN - NOTEBOOK

Function: A notebook that focus more on your notes and a little less on your calendar.  With 63 lined pages and 9 blank pages, you can keep track of your calendar and all of your interesting ideas.

Who This Is Great For: This great for people whose daily schedule doesn’t change often, but need room for to let their mind wander .  I also reccomend this for those of you who spend a lot of time in meetings.  You still have a calendar to keep track of important dates and projects, but you have plenty of room for not taking.  

Options: Like all things Erin Condren, you can customize and upgrade till you’re blue in the face.  You can even shop the rest of Erin Condren for coordinating trays, and stationery.  Even though this comes dated, Erin and her team give you the option of what month you want to start your notebook calendar in.

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  I’m not a fan of colors, and the monthly squares don’t leave a lot of room.  

Other Uses:  This is a great meeting notebook, because you have plenty of paper and access to a calendar.  Like I said before Erin Condren is a pro at fun little extras.  But those extras can give this notebook a hefty price tag.

Price: $38 - $106 All of the options have an upgrade charge so the price of this planner really depends on what you add to it.

KATE SPADE - 2014 17 Month Agenda

Function:  In classic polka dots, this 17-month agenda is a to-do lister’s dream come true. full of monthly and weekly spreads, a contacts section, note pages and laminated dividers, this fit-for-a-lady journal makes keeping tabs on your life easy breezy. plus, the sweet sayings throughout promise to add a little motivation to the start of each new month.

Who This Is Great For: If you write big or have lots of things on your plate, this might not be the agenda for you. Each page features three days with the weekends sharing a small spot.  

Options: It doesn’t come with any.

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  First of all this planner starts is August.  There isn’t a lot of room for basic to dos and keeping track of a light schedule.  The paper is ok, but I find that only the Pilot Frixion in light colors won’t show through.  Overall this is a planner that doesn’t really allow room for planning.

Other Uses:  After realizing this wasn’t the planner for me, I repurposed it.  Instead of trying to track my day with it, I just used the lines quick journal entries.  Perfect for those of you who find journaling a daunting task.

Price: $36 for hardcover.

MOLESKINE - MINI DAY PLANNER & BOX SET

Function: If you need something small but will still give you the features of the Graphic Image Day Planner the Moleskine Planners are perfect for you.  You get the hourly break downs, with each day getting their very own page, but you don’t get the hefty price tag.  

Who This Is Great For: Perfect for anyone who wants a small planner with plenty of room.  While I wouldn’t use it for my big day to day planning, I like having a calendar with me to take notes and update my schedule on the fly. I even use these for little shopping lists.

Options: While I’ve featured the minis, Moleskine planners come in a variety of sizes and even larger variety of colors.  Their very popular passions journals are now Passion Planners, a great way for those of you looking for year long focus..  

Why it Didn’t Work For Me: Moleskines paper is terribly thin, and doesn’t hold up against my arsenal of gorgeous pens, heavy handed writing or big juicy lettering. While it’s small size, I knew that going in, and never planned on using it as my day planner.  I always intended for them to fit in my smallest of clutches..

Other Uses:  These pocket planners are perfect for taking meeting notes, grocery lists and make perfect journals.  Even though I never end up using them as a planner, I always fill them up.  

Price: The Mini’s are only $12, while the box set is $39.95.  The larger planners start at $16 and run to about $35.

RUSSELL & HAZEL - SMART DATE SYSTEM

Function: If you like the idea behind the The Day Designer but need a little more flexibility this is the system for you.  The daily pages feature a hourly break down, along with room for to dos and a contact sheet.  If you don’t need each day to have it’s own page, don’t worry you can use the weekly system or just stick with the monthly.

Who This Is Great For: This is great for anyone with a lot of things on the horizon, a love of list making and note taking. Since it is a binder, this isn’t going to travel in your bag, but it is great for your desk or work bag.  If you spend a lot of time in meetings, this might also be the planner for you.  You can add as many lined pages and you need, so never have to write small or cram things in.

Options: The options are are almost endless with the Smart Date System.  All you need is a binder and to keep an eye on your budget and you can build the perfect system for you.  Different pages in twos sizes let you pick the binder perfect for you.

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  I feel like every blogger out their loves this planner system, but I just didn’t click with it.  From the price, the bulky binder which doesn’t hold a candle to the Staples Better Binder, and the page sets are pricey.  The planner layout isn’t logical.  I felt like I spent more time flipping from section to section than i did using the thing.  Mae from Mae Badiyan as an excellent review on the Smart Date System and why it didn’t work for her.  

Other Uses:  I gave mine away, it was the best use for me.  The blank lined pages and tabs can blend easily with other 3 ring binder based planners.  This is by far my least favorite of the planners.

Price: The starter set mini is $68, while the individual page packs start at $12.  This price of the planner depends on what you need and how much you need. To really get what you need for a year, be ready to spend a little over a $100 once you factor in shipping.  

MOMAGENDA - DAY PLANNERS

Function: This planner features room for up to five people.  The main persons day gets broken into morning, day and night.  While the others get three lines of space per day.  This planner also includes a few lines for meal planning, and a small space for reminders.  This also features; favorite websites section, space for notes on books, movies, fashion, and music; vacation planning and party prep pages.  Plus the accompanying mom essentials pamphlet lets you keep your family’s medical information, birthdays, websites and passwords organized all in one handy place.

Who This Is Great For: If you’ve been tasked with keeping up with more than one persons schedule the MomAgenda is for you, this is also a great planner for a household.  Everyone has a slot for their upcoming play dates, meetings, parties, and more.  

Options: This comes in a classic binding, spiral, or three ringed binder. Bold colors and playful prints make it easy for you to find the perfect planner for you.  MomAgenda also features plenty of sticky notes, pads, pockets and pens to round out the collection.

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  I’m not juggling multiple schedules, this planner was never really going to be for me.  While the outside of the planner has a very clean look the inside features purple, pink, teal and blue paper. I hated the paper color more than anything. I’m also not a fan of cramming a whole week into two pages.  

Other Uses:  If you want to keep track of your blog, and small business the extra slots are great for keeping track of shipping, invoices, and blog posts.  

Price: Starting at $14.95 to $145 depending on size and materials.  This planners do start in August of 2012 so you will be getting a pretty late start on these, but they are currently 40% off unlike the Kate Spade Planners.

I saved The Whitney English Day Designer and Emily Ley Simplified Planner for last because they are very similar, and I received both as gifts in mid December.  I ended up keeping the Whitney English Day Designer, but still have a soft spot for the Simplified Planner.  

WHITNEY ENGLISH - THE DAY DESIGNER

Function: This is the perfect planner for someone trying to take hold of there day, life, and projects. This calendar features a yearly calendar overview for long term planning and a monthly calendar overview. The daily planning page for each day of the week, and combined weekend planning pages, each day also features an inspirational quote!  The daily planning page gives you a daily break down along with a space for your to do list.  

Who This Is Great For: Like this planner says, this is the perfect agenda for the Creative Entrepreneur.  Featuring 8 different worksheets to help you with big picture and all the little details. Like the Erin Condren planner this planner is over 270 pages and has a spiral binding, so it might be a little big for some of your handbags.  This planner has space for your daily schedule, to do list, with a spot to download, give daily gratitude, plan dinner and much more.  

Options: At one point in time they came with different patterns and gold foil monogramming.  Right now you can buy the basic black and white stripe that ships in February.

Why it Didn’t Work For Me: This is my current planner that I’m using I do love the layout, but it’s not perfect.  The paper is painfully thin in my opinion.  I know that light weight paper keeps the bulk down, but  I have journal that has the same about of pages as the Day Designer but they used bright white 24lb paper and it’s only slightly thicker and a few ounces heavier.   I wish the Day Designer had done the same, because almost all of my pens bleed through.  The Papermate Inkjoys in black and brown get the job done, but once you bratch out into color your screwed. Also if you are bit heavy handed like me ink that isn’t fully dried will transfer onto the next page.  This year Whitney included tabs for easier browsing.  I’ve had the planner since mid December, and the January tab (I’ve used it the most) is already looking haggered.  The tabs easily pop in so easily pop out (this is a good and bad thing). The tabs also feature plenty plenty of room for notes, this is a big plus since there isn’t room for that on your daily pages, or as bonus extra sheets.  This planner doesn’t feature any pages for contact info.  While I don’t need a full on address book, I do like my planner to have space for emergency numbers and a few contacts.  My devices keep track of everything for me, but if the battery ever died or I forgot them at home, my planner is usually my back up. This planner also doesn’t feature a pocket for loose notes.  I added a post it note pocket to the back for my little loose items.  I know I seem super critical, but this is the planner that I’m using everyday, so the flaws seem bigger.

Other Uses: This planner doesn’t really lend itself to being a journal or scratch paper.  If you don’t love I suggest giving it to someone who might benefit from it.  

Price: $55 dollars with 12 dollars for shipping brings this planner to $67 dollars.  For those of you in Canada and elsewhere this could run you anywhere from $93 - $105 dollars.  I know that sounds like a lot but this features the best of both worlds for those of you interested in the Graphic Image Planners.  Since the latest batch of planners won’t be shipping till february the current price has dropped to $49 plus shipping.

EMILY LEY - THE 2014 SIMPLIFIED PLANNER

Function: The all new 2014 Simplified Planner was designed to help you make what matters happen. It features brass wire-o spiral binding and simple, dated pages. 

Who This Is Great For: If you have a lot on your plate, or just want to spend your day really getting to heart of things, this planner is for you.  The layout of mixes hourly planning and old fashioned to do lists, a box for notes, and box for that puts an end to the, “What’s For Dinner?” conundrum.  

Features: Protective gold corners, a durable brass colored wire-o spiral binding, along with a Pink elastic band to hold your Simplified Planner closed and keep items falling out of the pocket inside the front cover.

•   Size: 9 x 10 inches including spiral binding

•   Special informational and worksheets including

      •   The Process of Simplifying

      •   How to Use Your Simplified Planner

      •   2014 at a Glance

      •   My Go To Dinner Ideas

      •   50 Memories I Will Make This Year

Emily Ley’s planner features build in tabs, that are laminated, which will only add to their longevity.  

Why it Didn’t Work For Me:  I received this planner and spent a lot of time debating between this and the Whitney English Day Designer.  I opted for the Day Designer because the the daily layout had more of what I needed. Emily’s features two lines for each hour and breaks your day down from 7am to 7pm, the other side has a space for to dos, a notes box and dinner box. Like the Day designer each day has a quote to keep you motivated.  I love Emily’s weekend layout because it still gives your room for to do’s instead of just a hourly breakdown.  On the weekend I don’t need space for 5 am to 9pm like the Day Designer gives you, but I do room for my never ending to do list.  

Other Uses:  A lot like the Whitney English I don’t really see it having plenty of other uses, so I recommend giving to a friend.

Price: $56 the second batch of planners shipping in February are only $50

I also have two of the Sugar Paper LA for Target Planners, but they serve a different purpose that doesn’t have a lot to do with my day to day.  I didn’t do a feature on them because depending where you live they are already out of stock.  My local target has a very sparse selection, mostly featuring wall calendars.  Hopefully this breakdown will help all of you who aren’t quite in love with your planner, or if you are still on the hunt for the perfect planner.  Remember it’s okay to have serious planner remorse and pick up something new.  Sticking with a planner you don’t love only makes it easier for you to ditch planning all together.  If you’ve got a great planner that I didn’t mention let me know.   For those of you looking for a full rundown on how I stay organized and why I chose the Whitney English Day Designer over the Emily Ley Simplified Planner, check back later on this week, when I go into great detail about how I use my planners and while I chose them.  

If you’re still shopping for a planner or maybe you want to see if your current planner is right for you I’ve got a simple checklist.  

Questions To Ask Yourself (click here for printable PDF)

Do you rely heavily on lists?

How often does your schedule change?

How much are you willing to spend?

Do you have multiple schedules to keep track of?

Is meal planning important to you?

Do you need to take notes on the fly?

Is your handwriting big?

What type of pens do you use?

Do you want to add and remove pages at will?

Do you want a planner to fit in your purse?

What accessories important to you?

here’s a look at all the stationery i got in japan and my review of them!

muji a5 monthly schedule - i absolutely LOVE this! i hate making monthly spreads in my bullet journal because it takes so much time but using this makes it so much easier to plan my month out ★★★★★/5

zebra sarasa clip 0.5mm gel pens - these write so smoothly i love them omg and the colors i got are so pretty ★★★★★/5

zebra airfit lt 0.5mm pencil - super nice but i wish the grip was a little more comfy ★★★★/5

mt washi tape - it’s washi tape. what’s not to love about it. ★★★★★/5

page flags - these are sooo cute i love them so much ★★★★★/5

thought bubble sticky notes - (sorry idk the brand) super cute but there’s like a glossy coating on the paper which makes it hard to write on ★★/5

muji glue tape - i use this to glue my sticky notes and other papers to my bullet journal and it works great i love it ★★★★★/5

muji key ring notecards - i use these as flashcards and i love how i can keep everything together with the key ring!! kinda wish i got a bigger size tho ★★★★/5

Lately, I’ve been super into college & study related YouTube videos, so I thought I would share some of my favorite accounts with the rest of the studyblr community!

* - denotes accounts that get a 10/10 from me

COLLEGE ACCOUNTS

+ *cathincollege: I LOVE CATH SO MUCH OMG! She’s a rising junior at Stanford University, and her channel consists mostly of vlogs. It’s not exactly educational, but it gets me super pumped for college, and it’s hecka entertaining.

+ colleage: This account is run by a rising sophomore at Princeton University. There aren’t many videos on her channel, but I think that the ones she has uploaded are witty and quirky as well as informative and helpful!

+ *YesReneau: This is one of the first college accounts I followed, and I’ve been following for over a year now! Taylor (owner of the account) recently graduated from Harvard Class of 2016, and her account includes a mix of vlogs, funny videos, and college advice.

+ eleni arizona (aka @hotdamnford): Her account has mostly been non-school related vlogs as of late, but if you scroll through her videos, you can find some educational content. In addition to her YouTube, she gives great college advice on her tumblr!

+ Angie Kim: This is a new account run by a Brown University student from Canada. She has the perspective of an international student applying to American universities, and has uploaded extremely useful videos so far!

+ Jane and Jady: For any students that plan on attending medical school, this account is for you! Their channel is godsend for learning more about the world of medical school, and there are a few general studying videos, too!

+ appsademia (aka @appsademia): In addition to college admissions related information, this account contains general study information and addresses some issues that are important to students. This is another account I’ve been following for while (both on YouTube and Tumblr), and I highly recommend it!

STUDYTUBE ACCOUNTS

+ *hiheidz: Heidi’s channel includes super helpful educational tips against the frame of a more lifestyle-oriented YouTube channel. I love almost every video on her channel, and even the non-studying videos are worth watching!

+ *studyign (aka @studyign): You’ve probably heard of Sareena, a studyblr who is one of the fixtures of the studyblr community. In addition to her amazing studyblr, she has a great YouTube account that has helped me so much!

+ *nehrdist (aka @nehrdist): In addition to having a hecka cool accent, Zoe runs a spectacular studyblr & YouTube account. I love her & watching her videos for advice and tips, in addition to the fact that she is my face GOALS.

+ mariana (aka @studywithmariana): Another awesome study YouTube that I’ve been following for a long time. I’m not as familiar with her studyblr, but I’m sure it’s totally worth checking out as well!

+ katsdesk (aka @katsdesk): Kat is a recent high school grad who’s a part of Brown University Class of 2020. In addition to having a phenomenal YouTube with like the best study aesthetic ever, she runs an awesome studyblr as well!