<p>Oh, calendars! I use Google Calendar for all of my non-homework organizational needs, and my Moleskine for homework. The spread is set up with 7 days on one side and just lines on the other side; I write daily assignments on the right side and assigned-ahead stuff (like Lit readings), tests, quizzes, and project due dates under the appropriate left-hand date. Projects that are due in a different week are noted at the top of the left side, where the month is listed along with a blank space before “Monday.” I’ve been a school-planner fanatic since they were first issued in elementary school–I am, ah, a tad compulsive about organization–but the Moleskine is the same size as my school planner and gives me about 25% more space without “This Week’s Inspirational Quote.” I originally received it as a gift, but I’m definitely shelling out $20 for a 2010-2011 planner (covers 18 months).</p>
<p>^Hmm, that does sound pretty nice, Keil! In middle school, they did hand out free planners, but they were just generic planners with a personalized cover for the school. My high school, on the other hand, has the money (I was in public school K-8, private 9-12) to get us these amazing planners where the entire thing is personalized for the school. It has all the school events in it and, of course, our school’s crazy schedule printed for every week. It’s amazing…we call them our red books (it says The Red Book) on the front, presumably because red is one of our school colors (?).
Sigh…I am so attached to my red book! I don’t know what I’m going to without it! I feel like there’s an impending crisis here…
Perhaps I should check out Moleskin planners…at least my whiteboard calendar can come with me…somehow… ;)</p>
<p>This is the one I have: [18</a> months - Weekly Notebook - Black soft cover - Large - Moleskine ® English](<a href=“http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/diariesplanners/18_months/18_months__weekly_notebook__black_soft_cover__large.php]18”>http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/diariesplanners/18_months/18_months__weekly_notebook__black_soft_cover__large.php)</p>
<p>I don’t think recording lectures is a really useful study aid. It takes a lot longer to re-listen to the lecture than it does to flip through some notes. If he wants, he can just use the voice recorder app that comes standard on every iPhone though, no need for special equipment. </p>
<p>My best organizer in college was my laptop. I’m terrible with paper notes, my notebooks end up a jumbled mess, my binders are stuffed with random bits of paper. But notes on my computer always stay neat, easy to read, my hand doesn’t cramp writing them and best of all I can SEARCH them electronically to find whatever I’m looking for, fast and easy. Having a light-weight laptop that was easy to cart around was a lifesaver. Most computer note takers I see in class use Microsoft word, but I used a program that used to come standard on Macs called OmniOutliner, which I really liked because I could make each day a collapsible column within each note document. So when I opened my document I had a neat row of dates, with subjects for each date, and just had to open up the day and subject I wanted and my notes appeared. There are tons of notetaking and organizing software available, I would recommend checking them out.</p>
<p>First day back at school. Made senior DS and freshman DD wake up with alarm clocks, rather than mom’s knock on the door. Still had to remind DS to brush teeth. Is there an alarm clock for that too? Thanks for the advice, annika.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice on the planners from the seniors, too. Sounds like a great graduation gift for graduating niece.</p>
<p>CaliforniaDancer, my S’s college gives all freshman a planner that has all the school events already entered in! I don’t think he got one as a sophomore, though, now that I think about it. I wonder if that’s something he can purchase in the college bookstore . . …</p>
<p>SmithieandProud, I use a PC, but S2, a high school senior, uses a Mac. OmniOutliner sounds great. Are there other Mac applications that you use and can recommend, that would be helpful for a college kid? For example, do you know if is there something like OneNote for Macs? (Or is OmniOutliner like OneNote?)</p>
<p>Both D1 and D2 use their college planners with important college dates/programs already written in. Also use their synced computer/phone planner functions when away from school. Has worked well for them.</p>
<p>I don’t happen to have an IPhone so I can’t comment too much on this … However, I’ve seen my friends using various apps for the iPhone that they claim keep them organized to the nth degree. Since there are tens of thousands of apps out there, there’s bound to be one to suit. In fact, I remember seeing a popup add somewhere when I was browsing on Google that appeared to be designed specifically for students.</p>
<p>
This is a great idea, as long as “today” is defined as “the day after the last decision letter arrives.” I’m guessing it will take him at least two weeks to make the adjustment, and his grades for whatever term this catastrophe occurs in are likely to be butt-ugly. I want to at least have some “yeses” in hand before we try it. (The coward in me wants to wait till after graduation.)</p>
<p>And yes, OmniOutliner is great, as are all the Omni applications.</p>
<p>The Smart Pen I mentioned in an earlier post - was featured on Oprah today … BTW. It’s very cool.</p>
<p>isn’t it also very expensive?</p>
<p>Yes, I think it’s about $150 …but it depends on how much memory you buy it with. It records the lectures, etc. The college students in the TV story LOVED it.</p>
<p>I am a high school senior like CaliforniaDancer and Keilexandra. I am involved in many clubs within school, I volunteer with my church, and have outside activities I also do. I have always love being organized in a certain sense. Each person needs to find their way to be organized whether it is by notebooks, binders, typed up notes, or recording lecture. </p>
<p>Though with day-to-day activity I have a cheap little planner for everything. It can easily fit into my bookbag and purses I carry. I keep track of homework, future due dates with reminders, meetings, and volunteer opportunities. I usually have highlighters or capitalize things to show their importance. I have used the same planner for two years now and I love it so much. I used to use the Moleskine that Keilexandra has sugested but the size always bothered me and how thin the pages are. I might go back to it in college when my work load isn’t as day-to-day focused. Moleskine’s can help keep track of a lot of things other than schoolwork too.</p>
<p>Yes, the Moleskine pages are rather thin. It doesn’t bother me much because I primarily write in pencil; pen works too, but bleed-through varies depending on the pen. I’ve never tried highlighting because that’s not my style.</p>