Planners for Peace of Mind

By Liz Wassman

For some people, planners disappeared from their school supply list around the same time as colored pencils did. But for others, using a planner regularly has remained essential to their success in school.

Planners are is especially important for those with demanding schedules and multiple activities, to help them keep track of assignments, commitments, friends' birthdays and even when their favorite TV shows are on.

"I tend to think of myself as Katherine Heigl from '27 Dresses;' it's basically my life," said Audrey Kocmond.

Highly organized people depend on planners to keep track of appointments, to-do lists and documentation of where they are supposed to be and when. Kocmond, an engineer who plays club volleyball and is in a sorority, relies on her planner to keep all her activities organized.

"When I lost my planner, I had people calling me asking why I wasn't where I was supposed to be," said Mariah Adcox. "I use both an electronic planner and a physical one."

Buying a planner is only half the battle, though. If you don't update it, a planner won't solve any of your problems.

"I use it every day in every single class," says Mary Kate Planek. "My heart would break," she said in explanation for how she would feel if her planner would lost, "I'd feel really out of place, and I'd probably get a new one that same day."

While many people get their planners at office-supply stores, ordering personalized planners online has become popular as well. Life planners from Erin Condren online are also popular with Santa Clara students. These personalized books are expensive, costing around $50.

"I'm always jealous when I see people with those nice planners in class," says Danielle La Torre, who uses her planner to feel relaxed, knowing that everything is written down.

Other students, like Alec Molloy utilize online planners like Google Calendars.

"My schedule is accessible to me wherever I go," he said, "I wouldn't be able to judge my own time management without scheduling everything out." There is nothing he doesn't block out time for. Even sleep is included in his detailed calendar.

Planners and organizers don't have to be fancy and engraved, nor do they have to be covered in color coded ink. Even a simple one just might help you relax in your stressful college life.

Contact Liz Wassmann at ewassmann@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.