how to use the academic planner even if you’re not a student

erin condren academic planner review

The start of a new school year can often feel like a whirlwind of new schedules, appointments, and to-do lists. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but the right tool can bring a sense of calm and control to the chaos. An academic planner isn’t just for students; it can be the perfect companion for any mom looking to organize her family’s life and her own goals.

In my latest video, I walked through two fantastic options from Erin Condren that can help you do just that. Let’s break them down so you can find the right fit for your life.

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The A5 Softbound: For Simple, On-the-Go Planning

If you value portability and a sleek, minimalist feel, the A5 Softbound Academic Planner is a wonderful choice. It’s designed for the person who needs their planner handy, whether it’s in a purse, a work bag, or on the passenger seat for quick reference between errands. Note: Erin Condren gifted the A5 Softbound Academic Planner to me. Thank you EC!

• Compact & Lightweight: Its A5 size and flexible vegan leather cover mean it’s not bulky and can easily travel with you.
• Quality Paper: It features a thick 80 lb text weight paper that feels substantial and is a joy to write on.
• Functional Layout: The weekly view is a lined vertical format, with columns wide enough for standard 1.5″ stickers. The three to-do/checklist sections at the bottom of each day are perfect for separating tasks for home, work, and personal goals or habit tracking.
• Simple & Streamlined: This planner gives you exactly what you need without overwhelming you with extras, helping to reduce the mental load we all carry.

The 7×9 Coiled: For Detailed Weekly Spreads

If you’re someone who likes to lay out all the details of your week and have more room to write, the 7×9 Coiled Academic Planner offers a more expansive canvas for your plans. This is a great at-home command center planner. Note: I purchased the 7×9 Coiled Academic Planner myself to compare it to the A5 Softbound for this review.

• More Writing Space: The 7×9 pages provide wider columns in the weekly view, giving you more room for notes, appointments, and meal planning.
• Durable & Customizable: The sturdy coil and interchangeable cover mean you can personalize it to fit your style and trust that it will hold up to a year of daily use.
• Familiar Feel: It features the classic Erin Condren paper and a snap-in ruler that longtime fans of the brand will recognize and love.
• Helpful Extras: This version comes with built-in stickers designed for school, but they can easily be used to track any kind of deadline or important event.

How to Adapt Your Planner for a Mom’s Life

One of the best things about these planners is their versatility. Those pages designed for students can be easily transformed into powerful tools for managing a busy household. Remember, the goal is simple, functional planning.

• The “Class Schedule” Page: Instead of courses, use this grid to map out your ideal weekly routine. Block out time for cleaning tasks, errands, your workout schedule, dedicated family time, or even your content planning. It gives you a bird’s-eye view of your perfect week.
• The “Project & Exam Tracker” Pages: These are perfect for managing life’s bigger projects. Use them to track steps for a home decluttering project, plan out holiday preparations, map out savings goals, or manage a freelance assignment. You may need to use a bit of correction tape (here’s my favorite one!), but it’s easy to make it work for your life.

By repurposing these pages, the planner becomes a custom tool that truly simplifies your life, rather than making it more complicated.

Watch the Full Walk-Through

If you’d like to watch my full review of these two planners, make sure you check out my recent video here.

Ready to Plan for a Calmer Year?

Choosing the right planner is the first step toward a more organized and intentional year. If you’re ready to find the tool that will help you feel calm and in control, you can shop the Academic Planners here.

I’d love to know which style you prefer! Are you drawn to the portable and simple A5 Softbound, or do you need the extra space of the 7×9 Coiled? Let me know in the comments below!