DAY PLANNERS AND BULLET JOURNALS

Why use a day planner?

  • It helps you visualize your week, which makes it easier to manage your time. For example, if you know you are working Wednesday and Friday night, have soccer practice Saturday morning, and have a birthday party Saturday night, you can clearly see that Thursday and Sunday are the best days to work on your science project before it’s due Monday.
  • If you write it down, you're less likely to forget it. A planner can help you keep track of everything important in your life—from homework to dentist appointments.
  • It helps you be more productive because it helps you stay organized, prioritize tasks, and get more done.
  • It can help you create a plan for meeting your goals, whether it’s finishing a project, studying for a test, or building a new habit. If you write your goals in your planner, it helps you remember them and holds you accountable.
  • Using your agenda regularly reduces stress. You’ll be less likely to forget important tasks and feel more in control of your time and your life.

Use bullet journaling to make a custom day planner
​Whether you like to get crafty or want to keep it simple, a bullet journal is a great way to create a custom agenda for organizing your time. It also allows you to integrate other useful time management strategies in one place.

You can create one in a basic notebook or use a notetaking app, like GoodNotes or Notability, to make a digital version.

<--Watch this video to learn how to set up a basic bullet journal.

How to maximize the benefits of your planner:

  • Fill it out ahead of time: Take a few minutes to write down your class schedule for each day. This gives you a clear space to record homework, tests, and assignments. Make sure to leave room for important appointments and due dates.
  • Keep it accessible: You’re more likely to use your planner if it’s always nearby. Bring it to every class, and when you’re doing homework at home, keep it open beside you so you can easily check what needs to be done.
  • Make it part of your daily routine: Your planner only works if you use it regularly. Good times to check and update it include:
    • At the start and end of each class
    • When you're packing up to go home or to school
    • When you sit down to do homework
    • At the beginning and end of each week
  • Mark your place: Use a sticky note, binder clip, or folded page so you can quickly flip to the right spot.
  • Record EVERYTHING: Don’t just write down homework. If it takes up time, write it down so you can plan around it and avoid last-minute stress. You should include: planned study sessions, work shifts, social events, team practices, appointments, and other things that happen at scheduled times throughout your week.
  • Never trust your memory: Even if you have a great memory, it’s easy to forget things. Write important info down right away so nothing slips through the cracks.
  • Use backward planning: When you write down a due date or test, go back a few days (or weeks) and add reminders. You can even outline a study plan in your planner to stay on track.
  • Try colour-coding: Use coloured stickers, sticky notes, or tape flags to:
    • Highlight important events or deadlines
    • Show task priority (e.g., red = urgent, yellow = coming up soon)
    • Mark the end of a term or a major project due date
  • Build in rewards: Stay motivated by planning small rewards after big tasks. For example, schedule a movie night with friends after finishing a major project.