Emma Rojas ’18

In my four years at Staples, there has never been so much change than there was this school year (i.e. parking, daily schedule, PowerSchool, etc.). With the state cutting the budget, the school needed to cut back on “unnecessary” purchases; I just didn’t expect that to include cutting the purchase of our planning handbooks. The administration has spent years telling students that planners are important tools that we should use. While none of these changes will hinder my education, having the planners back would most certainly help me and others stay on top of schoolwork.
They were specifically helpful to me because writing down my assignments helped me remember them better. There have been many studies that show writing information down improves memory. According to a PBS article “For More Effective Studying, Take Notes With Pen and Paper,” “Students who write out their notes by hand actually learn more than those who type their notes on laptops.” When I look online to see what is due, I often get sidetracked with other notifications coming through on my computer and lose focus on my work. Not to mention, technology can fail us. There have been many times when my computer died or didn’t have internet access, or the assignment simply was not posted. Whatever it may be, not relying on technology made doing my homework a little less of a hassle.
The handbook helped me stay organized with my assignments because there was a full month calendar and a week-by-week calendar helping me plan long term projects. Each day had a designated row for subjects and a space for students to write down homework. If used properly, there really was no way to forget what’s due and when. A study skills teacher told me that she ordered Staples planners for her students because it is a better way to stay on top of assignments. I’m pretty sure the rest of us want to stay on top of our assignments, too. Therefore, having the planners back, or at least having the option for those that want them, would be beneficial.
Even so, some students, like Matthew Bidgood ’18, believe that “Planners are a waste of money and paper.” It is true that not all students use a planner and that there are many other ways of keeping track of assignments.
However, for those of us who learn best by utilizing a planner it seems unfair to be denied them. It would not have been a waste if the planners were provided only to the students who wanted them.