Let me start off by saying this - I love my iPhone as much as the next person. Like so many teenagers today, I take full advantage of the technology that has been provided for me. I can't imagine hand-writing a research paper, or not being able to text my best friends at two in the morning. Nevertheless, there is one iPhone app I have yet to launch, and that app is Calendar.
My paper planner is the reason for my sanity ability to efficiently manage my time, and I can't imagine my schedule going digital. I will admit there are pros to electronic agendas - size, portability, ease of access. Despite the obvious advantages, nothing could convince me to ditch my paper planner. Here's why I think planners are the ultimate tool for productivity.
1) Planners give a clear view of the weekly obligations ahead.
This is especially true if you, like myself, are a visual person. It is really quite difficult to say yes to that coffee date or agree to meet with a professor if the Tuesday section is filled to the brim with classes and club meetings. An up-to-date weekly planner helps to prevent over-scheduling and unnecessary stress - it also greatly reduces the odds of having to bail out at the last second.
2) You are free to experiment with different styles of planning.
I'm no app developer, but I would imagine it's no walk in the park to design an electronic planner specifically tailored to your scheduling needs. In the world of paper planning, it's easy to drum up a style that suits you. I have a collection of different stickers and pens, as well as a planning format that makes organizing my day easy. And, if I change my mind, there's always tomorrow to switch things up - no new app required.
3) Good old information retention.
Just like your teachers always told you - it's easier to remember facts and tasks when you write them down. I can't explain the science behind it, but it's been proven that you are more likely to remember information when you physically write it down, as opposed to typing and tapping. I've found that, if I take the 7 seconds to pull out my planner, flip to a date, and scribble in the necessary details, I often remember without referring back. If I were to type the same info into my iPhone? Not so much.
4) Nothing beats crossing that to-do off.
There's just something about crossing off that term paper reminder the moment it hits your professor's inbox. To me, it's almost an incentive to work productively - I love knowing that, when the task is done, I can check/cross/scribble it out and feel pride in knowing I successfully completed my obligation. A swipe on a screen doesn't give me the same sense of accomplishment.
5) It's actually pretty fun - I promise.
My planner has become more than just a place where I keep track of appointments and assignments. It is my journal and scrapbook; a really beautiful and functional creative outlet. As I have become more accustomed to planning, I have come to incorporate colored pens, stickers, pictures, doodles, and quotes into my weekly agenda; what used to be a chore has become a relaxing activity that I look forward to. And, because I keep my planners forever, I can flip back to any given week and find a richly detailed spread of memories. Memories I can pretty much guarantee won't be dropped in the toilet.
