I am admittedly a stationary junkie—I’ve been known to joyfully skip and frolic through office supply stores. I’ve tried just about every type of calendar, schedule, and appointment book known to man, and below are some of my favorites.
A note for the tech savvy: While I prefer the good old fashioned paper and pen variety, there are also a slew of electronic versions for any gadget you happen to have; check out Lifehacker’s Five Best Calendar Applications for a quick overview.
Unfortunately, these are sold out online, but you can still buy them in actual Barnes & Noble stores. However, if you want to purchase a similar calendar online, Moleskin provides comparable alternatives (minus the nifty pen).
Pros
- Built in pen, very convenient
- Snap closure to keep pages from getting mangled your bag
- Attached bookmark ribbon and tear-tab corners to easilyfind your place
- Address and notes sections in the back
- Thumbnail monthly calendars at the bottom of weekly pages
Cons
- The leather makes it kind of stiff and difficult to open flat and write on
- Only has the full-calendar spreads for August to December of 2010
- Isn’t organized specifically for the academic year
Made from recycled paperAvailable online or in stores, this thin calendar is both cute and functional. It’s large enough to see your entire month at a glance but thin enough to be very portable.
Pros
- Includes 17 full monthlyspreads
- Bright interior colors are funky and very appealing
- Very unfussy and user friendly
- Thin enough to tuck into any folder or notebook
Cons
- Kind of pricey for what it is; you’re definitely paying for the aesthetics
- Exterior isn’t nearly as attractive as the interior
- Calendar grids may be too small to make lengthier notes
- Very little protection to keep it from getting bent and crumpled for the next 17 months
Note Nook 12-Pocket Calendar ($14.99)
I would never pay my bills on time if it weren’t for this one. It’s super handy for sticking your bills in the pocket and marking the date their due on the calendar all in one fell swoop.
Pros
- A different pocket for each month (which is important because if you cram them full of stuff they tend to tear or warp)
- Very sturdy spiral rod and hook keeps them from bending
- Butterfly designs are pretty cute
Cons
- They also offer some rather dowdy designs
- Not at all portable
- Basically does the one job of keeping track of bills
At-A-Glance 12 Month Desk Pad Calendar ($14.99 or $9.99 after rebate)
Available at Staples both online and in stores, this extra large desk calendar lets you make all the notes you need to and still see the whole month’s schedule.
Pros
- Very convenient to keep at your desk or work station and make quick notes
- Available for the academic or regular calendar year
- Plastic corners keep pages from curling up
- Perforated top lets you easily rip off old pages
Cons
- You have to actually have a desk or work space to keep it at
- Not at all portable
- If you spill your coffee on it you have to live with the stain for the rest of the month
For more helpful grad student tools check out Michelle's The 5 Best Free Software Downloads for Students.
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