Oh yeah!! August, baby! Meet the teacher and first day of school. College students just dropped bookoo money on books and moms are wiping their tears (or celebrating wildly) as their babies step into their new classrooms. There is quite a bit of newness associated with this blessed month. But with everything going on, how can you keep yourself organized? I truly believe having a plan is one of the most important things you can do to have a positive, successful year. So, what are the best planners for the 2019/2020 school year, and which one am I using as a college student, teacher, and overwhelmed adult?
I have used so many different planners over the years. I have designed my own, used bullet journals, and purchased yearly planners. Can you tell, I love planners. Each type of planner is unique and useful in its own way. Here are my top picks for the best planners for the 2019-2020 school year.
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Why you need a planner
You might be a planner junkie who uses one every year. Or, you might be new to all this planner business. Either way, here are some of the ways you need a planner.
- Organize your day.
This is, of course, the most obvious reason. I know I have a much easier time getting things done and keeping track of what I need to do if it is written down. Planners are a great way to map out your day and keep it organized.
- Track habits.
No matter how you are trying to better yourself, exercise, better diet, lose weight, sleep regularly, accountability is key. Easily track your habits day by day.
- Keep track of your goals.
In my planner, I keep a running list of goals that I am wanting to achieve. Long term or short term, they are all in there. Set your short term goals up by week and month. Set the long term goals by year. Having them where you can see them everyday will help you stay motivated and focused.
- Things can be all in one place.
If you are used to keeping lists, meal plans, groceries, books you want to read, budgets, or any such thing, your planner is a great place to keep them. Especially if you carry yours everywhere like I do.
- Know your deadlines.
Whether you are working, setting doctor’s appointments, or meeting homework deadlines having the due dates written in your planner can make all the difference when your busy brain cannot remember what is next.
How to choose the best productivity planner for you.
Not sure which planner is right for you? Get my FREE planner worksheet to help you find the planner that will be the best planner and organizer for you.
Related: Create an Easy Schedule Anyone Can Stick To
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The Best Planners for Students
Student planners are unique because they do not start in January like most. Now, I believe you will benefit from using a planner at any time. Students, though, should start their planner as soon as they are back to school. Walking in with it on day one ensures you are ready for all the information that is about to be thrown at you. If you are a student looking for a great planner this year, here are some of my favorites.
Blue Sky 2019-2020 Academic Planner
Visually pleasing, full size planner. You don’t have to worry about writing small to fit everything in. This planner is great for students who want a simple, clean design with plenty of room.
- 12 month planner from July 2019 – June 2020.
- 8.5″ x 11″
- includes a yearly overview, a calendar overview for each month, a weekly spread with room for detailed daily planning, and previous and next month references for long term planning.
- tabbed months makes flipping through easy
- also includes a yearly “important dates” view that helps you keep track of big upcoming events, appointments, due dates, and plans.
- excellent, affordable option
Erin Condrun Academic Planner
Erin Condrun planners are beautifully designed. The cover and pages are gorgeous. I really like that the months are tabbed because it makes it so much easier to find what you want. If you are looking for a high quality, visually appealing planner, this is the one for you.
- 12 month planner from August 2019 – July 2020
- 9″ x 7″
- includes a yearly overview, a calendar overview for each month, and a weekly spread with room for detailed daily planning
- excellent quality
- tabbed months makes flipping through easy
- comes with fun stickers already coiled in (so you can’t lose them)!
Bright Day 2019-2020 Academic Planner
Are you looking for a cute, whimsical design. Choose from avocados, turtles, sushi, and many other adorable designs for this soft cover planner. If you are looking for something cute and convenient find this is a great planner for you.
- 13 month planner from June 2019-July 2020
- 8.5 x 6.25 “
- includes a yearly overview, a calendar overview for each month, and a weekly spread with room for detailed daily planning.
- also includes class schedule, notes pages, habit tracker, and a pocket in the back cover
Pretty Simple Weekly and Monthly Academic Planner – Cactus
If you want something affordable without sacrificing visual appeal, this planner is for you.
- 14 month planner from July 2019-July 2020
- 8″ x 10″
- detailed monthly spreads include: notes pages, inspirational quote, and lesser known holidays.
- weekly spreads have plenty of room for detailed planning
Don’t like cacti, this brand also offers navy floral and botanical designs as well as many others.
Tabbed 2019-2020 Academic Planner
Are you looking for something simple and straightforward. If you need a planner that keeps you focused and is easy to use, this planner is for you. Also available in purple, turquoise, and gray.
- 12 month planner from July 2019-June 2020
- 8″ x 5″
- includes a a calendar overview for each month, and a weekly spread with room for detailed daily planning.
- simple, minimalistic design
- tabbed months makes flipping through easy
- other colors available
Hardcover Academic Year 2019-2020 Planner
Sometimes you need something a little more durable. This beautiful planner is hardcover making it convenient, durable, and gorgeous. If you want a planner with a little bit extra, this is the planner for you.
- 14 month planner June 2019-July 2020
- 8″ x 5.5″
- includes a a calendar overview for each month, and a weekly spread with room for detailed daily planning
- durable hardcover is thicker than a nickle
- tabbed months makes flipping through easy
- also comes with a movable bookmark, sticky note insert, planner stickers, and a pocket on the back cover
2019-2020 Hardcover, Leather Academic Planner
Beautiful, leatherbound, and hardcover. This planner has it all. At a great price, you can’t go wrong with this one.
- 12 month calendar from July 2019 – June 2020
- 8.5″ x 5.3″
- includes a a calendar overview for each month, and a weekly spread with room for detailed daily planning
- tabbed months makes flipping through easy
- also includes notes pages, future planning pages, a pocket on the back cover, and an elastic pen cover
The Best Planners for Professionals
Working means you are juggling meals, work deadlines, workloads, appointments, schedules. Keeping up with it all takes great goal planning and stellar organization. So, without further ado, which planner is going to be best for you?
Minimalist Goal Achiever Planner
Need a planner that will jumpstart productivity, give you plenty of room to plan, and is flexible if you miss a day? Try an undated, minimalist goal planner.
- 12 month calendar, undated
- 8.5″ x 5.5″
- includes a calendar overview for each month with room for goals and monthly reflections
- daily spread with room for schedules, prioritizing tasks, and to do lists
- lots of empty space gives you room to write and plan
- also includes habit trackers, goal planning, and a bookmark
Best Self Co Self-Journal Planner
Are you trying to build a habit or finally get the success you have been looking for? Try this planner, used by many entrepreneurs to get the results they want.
- 12 month calendar, undated
- 8.25″ x 5.5″
- monthly, weekly, and daily spreads with plenty of room to write
- also includes 6am-9pm daily schedule, habit trackers, goal planning, gratitude logs, and much more
- canvas wrapped hardback and cloth bookmark with elastic closure
Amy Knapp’s Very Busy Planner
Want something cute and affordable that will help you reach your goals? This planner by Amy Knapp offers lots of room to plan as well as other productivity pages.
- 13 month calendar from August 2019 – December 2020
- 6″ x 8″
- includes a calendar overview for each month with room to list monthly projects
- weekly spread has room for to do’s, appointments, and events
- also includes goal setting pages, bullet journal pages, personalizing stickers, sturdy cover, and pocket in the back
Simple Elephant Planner
Ready to be super motivated and start reaching your goals? Get this planner with room for vision boards, productivity goals, and agendas.
- 12 month calendar, undated
- 8.3″ x 5.9″
- includes a calendar overview for each month
- each weekly spread has room goals, to do’s, and weekly reflections
- also includes notes pages, mind maps, goal setting pages, vision boards, and color matching planner stickers
- elastic closure and pen holder
Essential Weekly/ Monthly Planner
Need an effective planner with a minimalistic, chic design? This planner has plenty of white space for all your thoughts, plans, goals, and projects.
- 13 month calendar from June 2019 – July 2020
- 7″ x 9″
- includes a calendar overview for each month
- weekly spread has columns for each day separated by tasks and schedule
- also includes notes pages, and insertable sticky note bookmark
Undated Panda Planner
Looking for a planner that holds you accountable? Try an undated Panda Planner with extras for journaling and productivity perks to boost productivity.
- 90 day planner, undated
- 5″ x 8.2″
- generous daily spreads have space to list daily priorities, keep your to do list, schedule, and twice daily check ins.
- monthly spreads leave room for habit tracking, monthly goals, and monthly reflections.
- also includes an elastic closure, 3 bookmarks, and a pocket on the back cover
- recommended by psychologists for goal and habit setting
Goal Oriented Passion Planner
Are you looking for a planner that has room for all your daily appointments, tasks, and goals. This planner can help keep you motivated with passion maps and room to break down weekly goals.
- 12 month calendar from August 2019 – July 2020
- 6.9″ x 9.8″
- monthly calendar with room to breakdown weekly goals, prioritize goals, and list work and personal projects
- weekly spread with room to prioritize weekly goals, track gratitude, and to do lists.
- also includes passion planner roadmap, access to PDF inserts for habit trackers, finance trackers, and more.
The Best Planners for Mom’s
Ok, moms. This is for you. You have a lot going on, juggling the schedules of multiple people and trying to keep your sanity at the same time. We get it. It is time to do something for yourself and start organizing with one of these great planners.
Orange Circle Studio do it all Planner
This planner is chock full of useful, convenient features like appointment stickers and tear off shopping lists. Great for keeping track of everything on the go.
- 17 month calendar from August 2019 – December 2020
- 8.25″ x 5.75″
- the weekly spread is color blocked to help track by time or task as well as day
- also includes 300 appointment stickers, tear off to dos, tear off shopping lists, and a pocket
- printed with soy based ink
- sturdy and convenient with elastic band to keep it closed
Amy KNapp’s Family Organizer
An organizer designed with your family in mind. Great for moms who need to keep track of meals, to do lists, and multiple schedules.
- 17 month calendar from August 2019 – December 2020
- 8″ x 6″
- the weekly spreads are designed to give you an easy glance at your week
- also includes monthly spreads, weekly menu, weekly to do list, color coded stickers, and internal pocket
- plan shopping trips easily with tear off shopping lists
- elastic band to keep it closed
Reminder Binder
This great planner is loaded with features to make planning and organizing easy. Keep your family on track with lots of color and style.
- 18 month calendar from July 2019 – December 2020
- 9.2″ x 7.5″
- the weekly spread has room for notes and lists
- the months are set up with a calendar and a monthly planning page
- also includes plan, snap in bookmark, holiday overview, perferated to do lists, gift giving checklist, and two pockets
- tabbed months makes it easy to flip through
- elastic band to keep it closed
Busy as a Mother Organizer and Diary
Are you looking for something that is more than a planner? This is great for the overwhelmed mom. Use the journal pages for brain dumps and daily journaling. Plan every day without all the fuss.
- 12 month calendar from July 2019 – June 2020
- 8″ x 10″
- the weekly spread has a column for tasks and daily schedules
- clear minimalistic design
- also includes pages for journaling
- for the simple, straightforward planner
- durable, affordable option
Go Girl Undated Planner
Looking for a planner that helps you stick to your goals? This planner is perfect for goal setters and a great option for anyone who needs flexibility. It comes in 16 colors including pink, turquoise, royal blue, and gray.
- 12 month calendar, undated
- 5.3″ x 7.7″
- weekly spreads include habit tracker, to do list, priorities, and lots of blank space
- monthly spreads have monthly calendar, goals, and life balance goals
- build time management and stick to your goals with vision spreads, daily routine spreads, and 20 extra blank pages
- hardcover made from animal friendly leather, elastic closure, 3 ribbon bookmarks, pen holder, and one sheet of stickers
- comes in a 15 more colors
On the Go Busy Mom Planner
Do you need a planner with room for all of your other lists? This planner is beautifully designed and perfect for moms who want the bullet journal feel without the time needed to make it.
- 12 month calendar from July 2019 – June 2020
- 9″ x 6.4″
- weekly and monthly planners have plenty of room to keep you organized
- other pages include to do lists, self care, meal planning, home projects, house cleaning schedules, faith journaling, bucket lists, projects, and much more
- keep everything at your fingertips
- preview it here
Take your pick. Whether you are getting ready for the upcoming school year or just looking for a way to stay more organized day by day, these planners can be a great asset to you. My planner is named Brenda because I take it everywhere and use it for everything from grocery shopping and meal planning to keeping track of what I have been reading. I keep recipes, goals, dreams, and memories between its pages. And, it helps keep me on track when I have busy days, weeks, or months that would otherwise overwhelm me.
If you are feeling a little overwhelmed with the options, use my FREE planner worksheet to help you choose the best planner to be productive. Compare and contrast planners to find the perfect choice to boost your productivity and help you stay orgnized.
What do you do to keep your schedule organized?
Related: How to schedule big goals like a boss
