We have officially entered the second half of the year. Just a few more months and we’ll welcome 2020. Have you gotten your sh*t together yet? If not, don’t panic. Girl, we’re not here to shame you or increase your level of anxiety. In fact, we want to help. If you find your life in shambles; your schedule, appointments, tasks, and important notes and documents a big ‘ol mess, hold up. We say it’s not too late to turn your life around. For this week’s Preen Picks, our officemates shared their go-to planner/organizer apps. Read on to save a life.
TimeTree
I’ve tried a lot of planner apps in the past but TimeTree is definitely my favorite. I started using it two months ago after I got engaged. You can have a personal calendar and shared ones too. I have one with my fiancé and it has proven to be very effective. Here, we plot our meetings with suppliers along with other personal agendas like dinners with friends or movie night dates. I highly recommend. You can even chat using the app as well as add photos to events. – Tisha Ramirez, associate editor, Preen.ph
Google Calendar
I started using this app when I began working at Hinge, and it’s been a real lifesaver. It’s detailed but not complicated, and it has an easy-to-use interface. You can collab with others, add notes, and get notified for upcoming events so you’re never late. Plus you can sync more than one email to the calendar so you can schedule work appointments using your work email and personal events with your personal email. – Anri Ichimura, junior content creator, Fnbreport.ph, Forbes In Touch, Dasmariñas Village Gazette
I just use google for organizing everything (Docs, Sheets, Maps, Calendar). I love how you can sync your calendar with different e-mail addresses. It’s super useful for organizing trips because you can also create and attach maps with your own pinned locations to a specific date! – Sam Ong, photographer
ClassUp
I started using ClassUp when I was a freshie in college to organize my class schedule. Having a memory of a goldfish and not being able to memorize the exact location of the classrooms in my university, it still comes in handy until now that I’m in my fourth year. The whole interface is quick, easy, and minimalistic. It allows you to add what time the class starts and ends, the professor’s name, section, subject code, and room location. Another bonus in this app is that you can add notes in a chosen class subject and then cross it out after completing said task. ClassUp is a must for all the students out there! – Lorraine Belamide, intern, Preen.ph
Habitica
I don’t actually use a planner app, but I liked Habitica because it gamifies responsibility. It turns normal tasks into an RPG game, and each time you check one off, you earn trophies. You also meet NPCs along the way. I only used it for a week for an article but it was really fun, I should try it again – Zofiya Acosta, content creator, Nolisoli.ph, Northern Living, Southern Living
Trello
With the cards in trello I can list down all my tasks for a certain day and label them accordingly with -done, doing, personal, and whatnot. It’s a mix of my planner app for work and personal life. I can also easily attach google links or files that makes storing everything easier. – Cae Belciña, marketing assistant
Be Focused – Focus Timer
I’m really more of a pen-and-paper type of person, so I still keep a physical planner. But if it counts for anything, I also use a productivity app that sort of helps me plan out my day. It’s a to-do list + Pomodoro timer, called “Be Focused – Focus Timer.” The app allows me to list down all the tasks I have to accomplish and input deadlines. The timer also allows me to set the duration of my work and break intervals, so it helps me track my progress and reminds me to take a break. – Pau Miranda, associate editor, Nolisoli.ph, Northern Living, Southern Living
[Old school]
I don’t use a planner app because I have an actual planner. I prefer doing it the traditional way because it serves as my break from social media and technology altogether. If I still use my phone for planning purposes, it will only add to my screen time and TBH, I’ve tried digital planning before and it didn’t feel productive. Jotting down my stuff for the day tangibly is therapeutic as it feels like a break from the noise of the world. – Jelou Galang, junior content creator, Scout
Art by Tricia Guevara
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