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In our digital age, many have made the shift from a trusty paper planner to a digital one. While a digital version might be more convenient to carry around with you, there’s a multitude of reasons as to why I refuse to give up my paper planner.
The first and foremost is its tangibility. There is something inherently satisfying about being able to flip through the pages of a planner and put pen to paper that just cannot be replicated by tapping on a screen. You can easily personalise paper planners by using your favourite pens, highlighters, stickers, and notes. While I know these features are available in most digital formats, being able to write things out and decorate by hand gives the planner a sense of individuality that goes beyond the uniformity of digital fonts.
Keeping a paper planner also absolves me of any battery anxiety. One of the biggest headaches in life, especially in university, is constantly having to remember to keep your devices charged. Having a paper planner cuts out any potential panic of low battery or frantically searching for an outlet when you need your schedule the most.
Research has also shown that physically writing things down helps enhance memory retention. Simply writing down a to-do list, grocery list, goals for the month, or jotting down a quick note will help engage your visual and motor memory, ultimately helping you retain information better.
Again, in a world dominated by technology, keeping a paper planner is a welcome break from consistently being on my screens, especially when I am constantly using my laptop and iPad for all of my school work. Being able to organise all of my thoughts completely separate from my screen has not only increased my productivity but also made me more confident in how to go about my day-to-day.
Last, but by no means least, a paper planner is simply a point of nostalgia. I always used one in school growing up and I love keeping the tradition going and also having a record of all of my past planners over the years to look back on!
If I’ve succeeded in convincing you to return to or even start using a paper planner, then I definitely have some recommendations to get you going. My all-time favourite brand of planner is by far Papier. They have such an extensive variety of different styles and colour combinations, and also give you the option to monogram or customise your planner cover for free! The insides of the planners are spacious, making it incredibly easy to organise all of your thoughts and plans. They also have dedicated calendar pages as well as goal pages for each month which conveniently allow you to map out everything you plan to achieve! Alternatively, if you’re drawn to a more minimalist style, I recommend the Muji Recycled Paper Weekly Planner. It has a sleek and elegant design, and while the layout leaves so much space for writing, the planner itself is very slim and easily portable. This planner is undated, so you can jump in whenever you’d like and skip weeks whenever you feel like it. This planner is also extremely affordable ($2 on the Muji website!) making it a great option, especially considering its high quality. The Muji pens are also my absolute go-to pen to write with, specifically the black 0.5mm gel ink ballpoint, so I would highly recommend it. They also come in a wide range of fun colours to help you personalise and colour code your planner to fit your preferences!
I hope this has swayed some of you into considering a return to the paper planner! The simple satisfaction of filling up and triumphantly crossing off tasks in my planner, even the “small” daily victories, is such an integral and relaxing part of my daily routine. As fellow university students, I know needing to keep all of your thoughts and plans organised is essential. So, I wish you all the best in your planning endeavours!