R+R (Record + Relax)
Moving “to-dos” from up in your head to down in writing.
An incredibly effective way for students to reduce stress and feel in control of their day is to physically record important tasks as they arise. One of the most impactful lessons I can teach students is how to implement a system to organize all of the things they need to remember.
Start small + utilize choice.
EF skills weren't built in a day. Updating a planner consistently takes practice and commitment. The key here is to build confidence and accountability over time.
Physical recording is one of those things that requires student buy-in. Students will be more likely to update their to-dos if they choose “what” and “where” they are recording.
For a student just starting to explore this area, I’d encourage them to read through the “What to Record” categories and “Where to Record” formats below, to choose options that feel approachable to them. Once students see success, it's easier to expand on what gets recorded and introduce different tried-and-true formats.
Where to Record
(click underlined options for a link, and scroll down for additional links and downloads)
Paper Options
Post-it notes, notepad, paper planner*, printed schedule template**
Electronic Options
Notes app, Google Calendar, Google Keep (create a list for each class), a schedule template** uploaded to an app (like Notability)
What to Record
“Life Stuff”
Reminders, appointments, activity schedules, etc.
”School Stuff”
Due dates, test dates, daily tasks, teacher meetings, etc.
*Paper Planner Recommendations
My favorite type of planner is one that is organized in a column layout, allowing you to view an entire week in a two page spread.
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Order Out of Chaos Academic Planner
(click title for the link)Offered in two sizes (the smaller is linked), this is my all-time best planner pick. Created especially for students with ADHD, Classes only need to be written once at the beginning of each term, and the format allows for organization of class assignments and other out-of-school activities.
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Blue Sky Student Planner
(click title for the link)College students, teachers and tutors will love this clean and perfectly designed planner that I used myself for many years.
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Global Printed Products
(click title for the link)With its small size and thick pages, this easy-to-use planner is recommended for college students. There's a space to write tasks on the top, and a bottom section organized by times to record meetings and activities.
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Rad & Happy
(click title for the link)Its clean, organized layout make this my favorite planner to use for teaching.
**Printable Schedule Templates
I created the templates below to offer students a range of options when it comes to documenting school + life tasks. Templates can be printed or added to an interactive app like Notability.
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Simple and straightforward, this template organizes short term to-do's after school and during the weekend.
Printable "Weekly To-Dos + After School Schedule"
(Click to download) -
This planner has space for students to keep track of school work in addition to activities and meetings.
It can be used on its own for middle school and high school students, or together with a with Google Calendar (to keep track of appointments and meetings) for college students.
Printable "Weekly School + Activity Planner"
(Click to download)
