THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 6, 1995 TAG: 9501060045
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARIA LAWSON, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
AIRHEADS ARE out, planners are in.
Take a look at any busy teenager; many of them have a well-worn organizer in their possession. Students have discovered that planners provide a way to keep track of homework, work schedules, band practice, football games, yearbook meetings, Spanish Club and National Honor Society functions, and everything in between.
``It's one place to keep my life organized,'' said Jen Anderson, a junior at Princess Anne High School.
Tresa Robinson, a senior at Salem High School, said she couldn't survive without her planner, adding, ``I wouldn't be able to plan around events and remember my homework.''
The trend is even catching on in schools. Teachers and administrators at Salem High School last year decided that students needed a way to keep track of homework and other activities. So this year, Salem included a school activities calendar and daily planner in the school's student handbook.
For students who prefer commercial planners, there is a wide variety to choose from - featuring everything from Ziggy to Nike - made with the student in mind.
Academic-year planners cover the months from September to July and have space for phone numbers, homework assignments, class schedules and notes. They also include a full-year calendar.
Angie Favire, a senior at Tallwood High, keeps a countdown to graduation in her cram-packed planner. Elizabeth Williamson, a junior at Norfolk Academy, says she keeps notes on birthdays and concerts, in addition to homework.
``I'd probably forget all my homework, which would lower my grade, if I didn't have one,'' she said.
Elizabeth's planner is personalized with glitter and ``covered in pink and purple checkers with stars, moons, and suns on it.''
But not every student wants a customized planner. Lauren Alder, a sophomore at Norfolk Academy, said she looked for a simple planner ``with space, that would not fall apart and didn't have stickers and stuff with it.''
Many teens sport professional planners with padded leather covers, zippers or buttons that cost $8 to $20. Tresa admitted paying $20 for her black padded planner with a velcro fastener. It's one of the more extravagant types and includes a photo section, schedule pages, address and phone number section and a calendar.
The standard planner costs $5 to $10 and is available at stores such as Kmart, Revco and Office Max. Janet Stone, owner of Janet's Office Supply in Portsmouth, said that about half of her planner customers are teenagers.
And planners aren't just a girl thing. Sean Meyers, a senior at Salem, carries one around. He has titled his planner ``My Life.'' The words are printed in big, bold face letters on the cover.
Sean uses the book to keep track of dates, places, times, birthdays, homework, meetings, projects, cheerleading practices and phone numbers. Sean takes three A.P. classes; is involved in madrigals, cheerleading and forensics; is senior prom committee chairman and still has time to find a social life. Without his day planner, ``I wouldn't be able to remember where to go, who to call, what to do and when I should start to worry about projects,'' he said.
Still, there are those who are bucking the trend. Alaina Aston, a senior at Nansemond River High School, said she doesn't need a planner because, ``I can pretty much remember things if they're important.''
But most people who own one would probably agree with Elizabeth, who said, ``I'd forget my head without it!'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
CHARLIE MEADS/Staff
Angie Favire, a Tallwood High senior, keeps a countdown to
graduation in her well-worn daily planner.
Maria Lawson is a senior at Salem High School.
by CNB