Bullet journaling benefits organization, mental health

Every so often, internet fads and Pinterest trends actually have some merit and staying power. A few years ago, the term “bullet journal” began trending among hashtags and blog posts alike. However, these dotted notebooks have allowed for serious organizational and mental growth for those who actively use them, leading to the continued use of bullet journals today. These journals may have gained popularity for their aesthetic layouts, but the viable and proven benefits to using them have transcended the ephemeral hype of an internet trend and have established them as respected tools for academic, career and mental success.

Bullet journals can be described as hybrids of yearly, monthly and daily planners, with a use for note taking, journaling and even sketching or doodling. To begin bullet journaling, one simply needs a blank or dotted notebook. Because there is no predetermined format, bullet journals allow for the individual to discover a way to set up their journal that works best for their own personal needs. The journal can range from rigorous scheduling to haphazard note taking or even functioning as a personal diary. It can be all of these things or none of them, depending on what one decides to place on each page. There is always the opportunity to alter the format or purpose of the journal, which is something that most standard planners do not allow for. The bullet journal is not only customizable to the individual using it, but to their daily moods and whims as well.

Because the bullet journal is so multidimensional, it has lead to improvements in people’s organizational skills. Having every important task or event in one space allows for more efficiency and productivity. Additionally, people have also noticed improvements to their overall wellbeing and mental health while using bullet journals. The habit of reflecting upon one’s day while planning for the future reduces stress and instills a sense of control over one’s life.

With these benefits, it is no wonder that bullet journaling remains a respected organizational tool, especially among college students. On the UC Davis campus, many students enjoy bullet journaling and have personally experienced the advantages.

Gwendolyn Little, a third-year animal biology major, has been bullet journaling for the past two years. She sees it as a hybrid between a planner and a journal.

“I mostly use it as a planner,” Little said. “It helps me organize my life.”

In her bullet journal, she has a sleep tracker and a daily reminder to take her medications. She finds that the journal is a useful tool for self-care, and it keeps her responsible for handling her physical and mental well-being even in times of stress.

Little uses her journal as an artistic outlet. Some people allow their creative side to flourish within the blank pages. Little decorates her journal with thematic sketches and paintings, allowing her to destress and reduce anxiety over whatever is scheduled beside the pictures in her journal. It helps her feel better about whatever is worrying her.

The time she spends making her journal look aesthetically pleasing also motivates her to use the journal daily and keep her schedules up to date.

“I definitely like want to use my bullet journal more [than other planning alternatives] because I put the time into it,” Little said. “I can set it up how I want.”

Valentina Bunnell, a fourth-year communication and Spanish double major, uses her bullet journal in a similar way. Along with being an organizational tool, she has found that it lets her artistic side come to life with sketches and drawings. She also dedicates space for daily journal entries.

“[I write about] emotions and stuff,” Bunnell said. “It’s good for me because I get really stressed and being able to write everything down, like, puts [me back in] control.”

After seeing Youtube videos about the journals, Bunnell decided to give it a go. She has been using them for a few years now and has kept all her old notebooks to look back and see how they, and she, have evolved. Bunnell likes to look back at the journals because they are a culmination of so many aspects of her life at different points in time.

She has also noticed the benefits of bullet journaling on her mental health and believes everyone could benefit.

“[When I feel] panicky or overwhelmed, using [the bullet journal] to kind of put it back into perspective is very helpful,” Bunnell said. “I definitely think that literally anyone can do it. You just have to put a little bit of time into it.”

Second-year English major Victoria Choi is another student who bullet journals. Choi discovered bullet journaling on Pinterest and bought her first dotted notebook in 2016. She has continued to use them ever since.

Choi finds the journal easy to maintain and thinks it’s an overall welcomed addition to her daily schedule.

“It’s a simple, sort of nightly ritual,” Choi said. “You just catch up on your day, you plan for the future. It’s very relaxing, and it’s a way to unwind.”

Choi described her journal’s aesthetic as minimalistic. She designs it to be very task and schedule oriented.

“I have sections in my bullet journal, like a task list, a to-do list, things for the future,” Choi said. “And I have every day sort of sectioned off, so I can write down the things that I need to do, like during the week, and I can sort of have this all laid out for me to see.”

For her mental health, Choi appreciates the bullet journal because it allows her to track her moods and overall well-being from day to day. Following the Year in Pixels technique, Choi colors in a square each day in a designated section of her journal. She chooses a certain color that reflects her overall mood or feelings from the whole day. When looking back at the start of her year, she is able to see the boxes progress to more positive color trends as time goes on.

“Something that is really helpful with having a bullet journal for me, specifically, is that you can tangibly see the ways you’ve changed,” Choi said. “So if you were in a bad spot at some point and then you’ve noticed that and you’ve written that in your journal, it’s really, really, uplifting in the future to sort of look back and see how far you’ve come.”

All three students have found that the personalization of the bullet journal has helped them in more ways than other standard planners or journals have. This is because the bullet journal relies on flexibility and accommodation, which is a more human approach to organization. No ones day looks exactly the same all 365 days of the year, yet standard planners format each day as if they did. Any college student on the quarter system knows that some weeks look very different than others in terms of how busy, stressed or organized one needs to be (midterm season, anyone?). The bullet journal adapts and changes to mimic the way one’s life does.

Having important plans or notes in one spot certainly has merit in reducing stress and anxiety. Making lists can be cathartic, and planning out one’s day and week has been proven to make life seem less overwhelming. Bullet journals allow for change, movement and growth. With each turning of a page, it allows one to start anew. Plans change. Goals change. Mindsets change. Bullet journaling allows for this and even encourages it.

Written by: Alyssa Ilsley — arts@theaggie.org

A curated list of songs, advice for studying

Everyone experiences those days where they just can’t wait for the weekend, and during midterm season, every day is one of those days. Here’s a few songs to get you through those late night study sessions.  

“Ready to Start” — Arcade Fire

The music drowns out the lyrics, which is actually the best part of the song. When you need to study for midterms, the hardest part is getting started and this song’s upbeat rhythm will push you to write out those flashcards or start filling out that study guide. Either way, once you start, you’re that much closer to finishing.

“Sleep on the Floor” — The Lumineers

In an interview at the iHeartRadio Concert, the band explained the meaning of the song: “You’re gonna go [to big cities], and you’re gonna fulfill that promise, you’re gonna catch that dream that you had in your head. And when you go there and it doesn’t happen, that’s sort of a reaction to that.” Having midterm after midterm can fry your brain, and in the end it can often feel like the promise of post-college life is too far away to grasp. But no worries, midterm season will pass and winter break will soon arrive.

“Smile” — Mikky Ekko

Ekko’s song is perfect for the midterm season. Whether you’re cramped up in a dorm with roommates or in a library with dozens of struggling students by your side so just breathe, smile and keep going.

“Warrior” — CHLOE X HALLE

With CHLOE X HALLE’s recent rise to fame, first starring on the Freeform original show “Grownish” and then opening for Beyoncé, the duo’s album was bound to catch attention. Their message makes anyone listening feel empowered and able to tackle any test that comes their way.

“High Hopes” —  Panic! at the Disco

You’re in the middle of studying and feel like you’ve been doing it for days on end. You want to call it a day and neglect every responsibility that’s been placed on your shoulders. College is hard, but as Brendon Urie put it, don’t give up. You’re here, so you might as well keep going. Because if you don’t, there will be debt to pay.

“Hey Look Ma, I Made It” — Panic! at the Disco

And again, another Brendon Urie song made specifically for college students with a busy schedule and a midterm without a study guide. But as Urie puts it, you already showed your mom that you’ve made it into college. Show her you can make it through the crying and the 15-minute naps that go along with it too.

“Trouble” — Cage the Elephant

Every once in a while you need a calm song, like “Trouble.” This song’s slow tempo and thoughtful lyrics allow me to take a second to breathe, so hopefully it does the same for you. Just close your eyes, listen and keep going.

“Someday” — The Strokes

“I ain’t wasting no more time,” is all the song needed to say to make it on this playlist because honestly, studying for midterms comes with a lot of wasted time when there are distractions everywhere. In order to avoid these distractions, take a drink of water or eat a small snack and go back to studying once you’ve had your breather.

“I Wanna Get Better” — The Bleachers

When college is stressful, students often forget that mental health should be a top priority. College comes with a huge amount of stress and that stress can get to your head. If you’ve been listening to this playlist while studying, this song means it’s time for a break. Those five minute breaks really do make all the difference.  

“Float On” — Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse’s song talks about the setbacks that people face, and as a student, setbacks are inevitable. There will always be a bump in the road, there will always be that one question on a test that has you stumped and there will always be that one essay you didn’t get quite right. It happen but ultimately you just have to float on.

“Shots” — Imagine Dragons

Heed lead singer Dan Reynolds’ advice, “In the meantime we let it go.” When you are taking those breaks, learn to actually take them. Learn to laugh with your friends and have a snack without having the near future of the dreaded tests on your mind — it won’t help.

“Anna Sun” — Walk the Moon

This song was a favorite of mine when I was a middle schooler walking home everyday at 3 p.m. It’s no different now as I’m walking from Rock Hall to catch the bus at the Silo. The catchiness is sure to make you tap your feet when you’re in the library or on the bus. Many college students can relate to the line, “we got no money, but we got heart.”

“How Far We’ve Come” — Matchbox Twenty

Let’s see how far you’ve gotten on that study guide. Do you feel okay? How long has it been since you’ve taken a sip of water? Staying hydrated while studying is essential. Don’t ignore what your body tells you.

“Ain’t It Fun” — Paramore

This is college. Professors say you’re supposed to study one hour for every unit  and you most likely didn’t. But it’s life and honestly, that’s college in a nutshell. Ain’t it fun?

“1000 Times a Day” — Early November

This song is one to finish off your studying. Listen to it when you decide to take a break, eat a Snickers or take that well deserved nap. Good luck on those midterms, Aggies!

Written by: Itzelth Gamboa — arts@theaggie.org