Paper vs. Digital Planners
While digital planning apps have many advantages, including being able to develop and share content, paper planning and scheduling still has its place with students and educators alike. Check out our top 5 advantages of paper planners.
Writing helps you learn and remember
Students who write out notes have a deeper understanding of the material and tend to score higher on tests. Writing forces the brain to engage in a different cognitive process, which fosters comprehension and retention.
Paper is faster
Most times, a planner can be flipped open to the exact day or month before a digital device can be navigated to the correct app.
See your schedule at a glance
Weekly and monthly formats in planners allow you to see the big picture of your schedule, cross off tasks, see priorities, and quickly glance at what’s left. Most digital apps force you to swipe, scroll, or pinch to see all of your schedule details.
Custom planning options
Paper planners can be customized with your unique organization system. Sticky notes, highlighting, sketches, stickers, and more make your planner a personal expression of who you are.
Mindful planning
Planning your schedule on a digital device can cause a myriad of distractions, including social media alerts, email notifications, texts, and more. When writing in a planner, you are focusing your mind on one purpose – planning.
Sources: Take Notes by Hand for Better Long-Term Comprehension, Pam Mueller, Psychological Science and Scientific American; Print vs. Digital: Another Emotional Win for Paper, Temple University, Neuroscience Marketing.
