The Best Academic Planners for Law Students

The summer is slowly coming to an end and the autumn season is steadily approaching. That can only mean one thing - 'back to school' signs everywhere. Hooray. Although most students probably dread the thought of starting or going back to university, I always have an impending sense of excitement for university and getting back into the student life routine (of course, come December/ January that excitement is long gone!)  Part of the excitement stems from the back-to-university preparation. There is nothing I love more than spending hours and hours in WHSmith, Paperchase and Staples to stock up on my study supplies and stationary. I know I cannot be the only one!

The first thing on my back-to-university wish list this summer was a planner. Although I have always been quite an organised person, my obsession for planning and preparation has definitely escalated since I started my law degree. Law is just the kind of subject that requires planning and organisation.

'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail' - Benjamin Franklin

This quote could not be more true for us law students! 

So, without further ado, I present my top planner recommendations...

For the Fresher

The Palgrave Student Planner 2014-2015

Oh, how I wish I had found this planner two years ago! This planner is unique in that it is not just a generic 18 month diary - it has been designed specifically for the university student. It has so many useful features:

- calendars

- blank timetables/ term dates tables
- week to view diary pages (split into times)
- deadlines tables

- personal finance guide
- work experience info
- stress management info
- useful contacts and websites
- spelling rules
- washing symbol meanings
- basic recipes
- space for notes

And so much more!

Aside from all of the great content mentioned above, another practical advantage is the fact that it has a plastic front and back cover, page marker and sturdy ring-binding. This means that it will not end up wrecked and torn at the bottom of your bag by the end of the first month. 

This planner has truly been designed with typical student life in mind and is perfect for new students - it structures your entire academic year so well and is bound to keep you organised efficiently (if used well!) The 'recipes' and 'washing symbol meanings' extras are a sweet addition and are likely to come in handy for those living out that are hopeless with laundry and cooking. 

This planner has everything a new student could ask for.

More information and pictures here.
Cheapest online price (£5.59) available here.

For Second/ Third Years

Noteletts Edge L5 Week to View
18 Month Diary

I think this sophisticated little diary will work perfectly as a planner for students in their second or third year. It does not have that completely 'young student' feel as the planner above, it's a little more basic and allows room for personalisation. With that being said, it still offers most of the same basic and essential features including:

- calendars
- personal notes
- blank timetables
- week to view page alongside lined page for notes
- yearly planner

I love the layout of this diary. The week to view page makes it easy to keep track of the whole week and the added page for extra notes is great for penultimate and final year students who may just have a little more to jot down! I often find that week to view layouts never really offer enough space per day, so discovering a diary with this ideal layout was quite a surprise.

Aside from the contents, I love the sleek, sophisticated design of this diary - matte, PU leather effect cover with the simple elastic closure, page marker and cream pages. A final added bonus is a sweet, little storage pocket at the back - perfect for storing any small pieces of paper that will definitely accumulate throughout the year. The cherry on top. Sold.

This diary is currently on offer - 20% off online at WHSmith (£10.79). It also comes in a tempting red colour.

(P.S. this is my planner for my upcoming and final year.)

More information and pictures here.

The Super Pocket-Friendly One

This one is the budget friendly option. At just £1.49 (+99p delivery), this is by far the cheapest academic diary I have found that also looks pretty good. Features include:

- calendars
- blank timetables
- week to view layout with appointments/ times from 8am-5pm with 1 hour slots - perfect for planning studying/ revision sessions
- yearly planner
- space for notes

And more!

Sturdy hard back cover, grainy leather effect and page marker. All the basic contents plus more. For that amazing price, you can't really go wrong.

More information, pictures and reviews here.


Good luck finding the perfect planner to suit your needs. And remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. 

Note: These planners are all mid-year 18 month diaries and would be great for most other subjects too.