Before becoming a freelance writer and blogger, I worked in the public education system full-time, first as a middle school/high school psychologist and then as a classroom English teacher. While teaching, I coached middle school track. I currently contract with my old school part-time as an instructional coach. My husband is a middle school principal. Our nephew is a teenager and our nieces were teenagers but now one is in college and the other working as a teacher.
Needless to say, even though my own boys are only seven and four, I’ve been around a lot of adolescents and teens in my life. One thing I repeatedly notice is that when teens are disorganized, they not only perform poorly academically but they experience significant anxiety.
With Bullet Journaling working so well for me and others, why not use it with teens?
A couple of my readers have asked what I thought about using the Bullet Journal system with teenagers, so I thought I would do a little research and offer some advice if you decide to use this system with your adolescent.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Bullet Journal system, you may want to hop over to Bullet Journal 101 or Bullet Journal DOs and DON’Ts before reading this post for general info. Information about what supplies you will need and where to buy them can also be found on those two posts.
Today I want to focus on how we can use a Bullet Journal to help teens. I hope this post is helpful and if you know a teenager who is using this system already, I would love some comments about how it’s going and what’s working or not working.
A lot of traditional planners and school agenda books are awkwardly formatted and don’t jive with a teenager’s day. Nor does the format resonate with their young, vibrant personalities, so I feel like the Bullet Journal has a lot of potential to really help this age group.
First, I want to share the benefits of getting the teen in your life organized so you will see why it’s so important they find a system that works for them. According to schoolcounselor.org, students spend up to 35 hours a week at school plus several hours per night on homework or sports/club practices. These hours exceed those worked at a full-time job, so it’s imperative we help these young folks organize their lives.
Positive Benefits of Getting Organized
- Academic success
- Less anxiety
- Increased self-esteem
- More efficient use of time
- More productivity
- Less fighting within the household
- Development of positive long-term habits
With all of those positive benefits, who wouldn’t want to get their teen organized. You may have tried other systems in the past, but below I offer why I think the Bullet Journal would work really well for this complex time in a person’s life.
Why a Bullet Journal?
1). It’s open-ended: With lines, boxes, verbiage and calendars everywhere in traditional planners and agenda books, there’s absolutely no room for personalization. Teenagers can make their Bullet Journals their own.
2). It lends itself to creativity and self-expression: Many teens love to draw, write songs, doodle and journal. These forms of self-expression are imperative for a young person’s emotional and cognitive development. With the pages in a Bullet Journal being blank, there is plenty of room for teens to do this. Teens can even decorate the outside with stickers. Ensure they have a lot of colorful pens, colored pencils, Post-its and tabs to make the Bullet Journal more fun and lively.
3). It’s small and trendy: I don’t know about your teen but the ones I know don’t think it’s very cool to carry a cheesy planner or a school agenda with a giant mascot on the front. The Bullet Journal is small and trendy. Students can throw it in their backpack or carry it in a purse and it’s there whenever they need it.
Now that we know why a teen would like a Bullet Journal, let’s talk about some tips and tricks as far as using the system for this age group.
Tips for Teen Bullet Journaling
1). Guidance: Offer a lot of guidance initially. The system can be overwhelming at first, so start slowly and help your teen find a system that works. Slowly pull back and let the Bullet Journal become his or her own. It would be helpful for the teen and an adult to watch Ryder’s videos on bulletjournal.com together just to get the basic system down.
2). Brainstorming: Before getting started, have the teen brainstorm areas of his or her life that feel disorganized or out of control. Prioritize them and work on the top priorities first. Then begin adding the next item on the list then the next and so on. Meanwhile, the teen can be drawing and doodling and doing the things he or she enjoys while working to organize the “trouble” areas.
3). Habit trackers: I think the habit tracker component has huge potential for teenagers. Because every teenager’s day is different, a habit tracker can be completely tailored to fit individualized needs and help an adolescent be much more productive. Below I created a sample teen habit tracker that involves getting to school on time, completing homework, remembering necessary items and materials, etc.
4). Collections: Collections are pages where people record books they’ve read, songs they love, quotes that inspire, video games they want to buy, etc. You can help your teen come up with different collections based on their personalities and the things they enjoy. During school breaks, weekends and summertime, you can encourage them to revisit their collections to remind them of books they want to read, movies they could watch on Netflix or video games they could save up for.
5). The BuJo as glue: Adults can get away with only using a Bullet Journal for everything. I know I have, but teens won’t be able to do that because they will still have their notebooks for individual classes. Help them view the Bullet Journal as the glue that brings everything together but continue helping them get their notebooks and other items organized.
6). Be patient: As with any new habit, it takes at least 21 days if not longer for it to stick. Be patient with your teen and help them make using their Bullet Journal a habit. The hope is that eventually it will internalize and they will need less and less direction, guidance, and prompting.
Organization is a skill that benefits people forever. It’s not something we stop needing once we are out of high school and college. Helping teenagers get organized now will help them for the rest of their lives. If previous systems, planners, and agendas haven’t worked, why not try the Bullet Journal. It’s worked for me when nothing else has.
I may not be a teenager as far as my age goes, but my brain felt extremely disorganized before using my Bullet Journal. I can vouch that if used well, it can be a life changer.
Laura says
Hi I’m 17 years old and in high school. I’ve been using a bullet journal to stay organised since the new year and it’s working great! It’s great having everything I need in one place from monthly calendars to the list of homework I need to do. I love being able to draw and doodle in it and it is now my favourite way to relax and my friends are always asking me what homework we’ve been given because I’ve got everything written down.
I think more teenagers should learn how to use a bullet journal because it a really helps with school especially.
susannabarbee says
Thank you so much for your comment, Laura! Would you mind if I included it in my post?
Laura says
Sure! I think more teenagers should start using bullet journals because they work so well.
Megs says
I’m in a really similar situation Laura, I’m also 17 and have been using the bullet journal system since the new year.
I wish I had learned about it sooner actually as it really helped my final semester.
I totally get the relaxation that comes from doodling in a bully journal, and how much stress is lost when you have a good system.
Even though I just graduated, I still hardcore use my bullet journal, especially now that I’m working a summer job and applying for a full time position.
I think teens should be embraced in the bullet journal community more often, because honestly it doesn’t seem like there’s many of us out there.
I’m just super glad to have seen this and learned that I’m not alone in my love for the bujo <3
Rebecca says
I’m actually 11 and I’ve been using a bullet journal for years. I think no matter the age, it works perfectly. My bullet journal is actually just like the ones you see on Pinterest, just without meal planning, office schedules, etc. (obviously.)
jazmin says
hi rebecca
do you have photos of your bullet journal? if so can you email them to me at jazmin.noble1@icloud.com as i am 12 and wanting to start up my own bullet journal for high school.
jazmin
Arianna says
I could send you some pictures of mine 🙂
Mae-Mae Han says
Hi, teenager here! I’ve been using the bullet journal just since this past April. I’ve used a planner pretty much since third grade (my elementary school really encouraged using a planner), so I’m that type of person who’s got every test date, homework assignment, etc. down. For me, a bullet journal has that great planner aspect plus the fun creativity and collections. One of my friends flipped through my bujo, and looking at all of the pretty headers, said that it had made her day.
susannabarbee says
That is awesome! I love seeing young people organize their life in productive, creative ways. Keep it up. 🙂
Shannon G says
Hi – great article and lots of great details. I teach High School English and would love to include bullet journals in my curriculum for many of the reasons you’ve stated above. How do you think this would work? My concern is having all students do it when only some may be receptive. (Those who wouldn’t be receptive are likely the ones who need it the most…!). I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, and maybe some advice on rolling it out and making it stick with students. Please don’t hesitate to email me to chat. 🙂
Shannon G says
Addition – I’m a Bullet Journaller already ❤️
Lindsey says
I am entering ninth grade and feel that I would be more receptive to the idea if my friends or classmates did it. If any of the students do bullet journaling, try having them speak to the class. Additionally, encouragement from my parents would help. Hope that helped!
CB Coleman says
I started a BuJo at the beginning of this summer and have spent much time looking at all the Pins out there and learning the jargon. I’m pretty much a minimalist, but use color to offset or highlight something.
I started to introduce BuJo to my son, but he said he’s not artistic like his sister. She has another system of keeping track of her school right now. I noticed all the teens commenting were girls. However, I’m attempting to show him how this can be useful with a minimum of fuss.
If when you started teaching, you showed the original bare bones system and explain how Ryder used it for success before introducing the creative, artsy side, I think both boys & girls would find it flexible and functional, and show an interest in adopting it for organization. If you start with the artsy, self care side of the system, you’ll have little success with the male teens!
Savannah says
I am 14 years old and I absolutely LOVE the bullet journaling system. I have been using it for quite a while and I’m hooked! My favorite spread of all time so far is my monthly memories page. I originally got this idea from @boho.berry and I love looking back through the months and seeing all of the wonderful memories I have had. Another spread that I love is my gratitude log. It helps me find the good in every day. One of my school teachers told us that she would write 3 things that she was grateful for every single day, which gave me the idea to start that page. It has helped so much! Even after a bad day I can always find something that I was grateful for no matter how big or small. I think this would be a great page for other teens to include in their bullet journal to help them as it has helped me.
I know a lot of the bullet journals out there have really complex spreads to help them get organized. But I have found that sometimes I don’t need those. I have found my own pages that work better for me by simply experimenting. My advice for other teens is to try lots and lots of things in your bullet journal and see what works. If one of your spreads didn’t work as you had hoped it would, tweek it or maybe try something entirely different.
I love that the possibilities are endless and that I can be so creative. Our school planners are quite small and I can hardly fit all of the instructions of the assignment in the tiny lines, so my bullet journal is going to help me a lot. When I am doodling or writing in my bujo, it helps me to relax and gather my thoughts. I hope that other teens will be able to use the bullet journal to help them have a positive and productive life.
Claire says
Thanks so much, I am fifteen almost sixteen and I was thinking about starting a bullet journal. I have done endless amounts of research and this blog post and comment was very helpful. I look forward to starting my bullet journal and I can’t wait to incorporate a quotes page and a gratitude tracker. Also I was thinking about adding a page to remember birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. Thanks for all your help and inspiration.
Alyssa says
I started bullet journal for a similar reason of not having enough space in traditional boring planners after my first year of high school. I couldn’t fit all the homework I had, my outside school activities, and other lists of chores/other things that I needed to do. So my sophomore year I started bullet journaling. I started off very minimalistic with only the day of the week and fun washi tape to separate the days. Overtime, my bullet journal has become more complex and a source of relaxation/creativity (I’ve now been doing it for 1 1/2 years). One important thing I think that adults should keep in mind is not to force it. bullet journaling is a way to be creative and anything they want it to be. Mine started as just a planner alternative and has grown into a sort of diary, so tailor the journal to them (An art journal that has more of their school aspects, a journal for their school to do lists, or just a journal for them to take with them to school). Also, have them remember not to get discouraged by all the artsy spreads. I have so many friends that either see mine or spreads on the internet and think that it is too artsy for them. It is what they make it, whether it is just hand drawn lines and checkmarks or intricate watercolors covering half the page.
Lindsey says
Hi, I am 13 years old and entering 9th grade. I don’t have a bullet journal (I haven’t gone school shopping yet) though I do have sheets of paper in folders that I use to organize my summer. I am currently writing a novel and it helps me organize my time. Can’t wait to have my first bullet journal!
Rose says
I’m 18, and I found out about the bujo on tumblr while studyblring. I love its creative potential!
Erin says
Hey I’m 19, in college and am obsessed with my bullet journal!!!!
Audrey B. says
Hey! I’m 16, and I’ve only Just started my Bullet Journal about a week ago. I’m already addicted and have gone crazy for all of the inspiration from your, and other, blog posts for a few months now. Thank you so much for all of your helpful insites! It’s awesome how you’re trying to reach out to teenagers in particular, as well! I look forward to more posts about Bullet Journalling!
Alpha Beta says
Hey,
I’m 13 years old and I’ve been using the BulletJournal for a few weeks now.
It helps me a lot with schoolwork though I still use the assignment planner my school offers.
It would be overwhelming to have 3 or 4 assignments per day written down on every weekly spread.
(I don’t know if it’s less in America)
Since I use the BuJo, I’m always finished with my homework for the next day before 16 o’clock and I have much more time for my hobbies or my friends/brothers.
I won’t miss it!
Alpha Beta
PS: Excuse me for awful English, I’m from Germany and I’ve learned English as a school subject for 4 years at the end of this semester – I read English/American blogs to improve my vocabulary and understanding 😉
Arianna says
Haha, in America it’s way more homework. But your English is very good!
Lauren says
I am 11 years old, almost 12. I started using a Bullet Journal in March, and I love it! I try to make it like an adult journal, except mine has more things that apply to me. It has helped me tremendously, and I love being able to make it my own. It has come a long way in a few months. It is very freeing to be able to doodle and always make it better. I am also very creative, so doing a BUJO has been amazing, no matter the age.