Best Notebooks and Planners for STEM Students to Stay Organized

Staying organized is half the battle in university- especially STEM courses. The right notebook and planner can help you track assignments, take effective notes, and boost productivity. Here’s a list of my top picks for notebooks and planners that make studying easier — and most are budget-friendly.

1. Digital Planners & Note-Taking Apps

If you prefer digital organization, like I do- apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or OneNote are excellent for STEM subjects.

I have tested all of the note taking apps above and my comparisons can be found here

My online Suggestions:

• [GoodNotes app]
• [Notability app]
• [Microsoft OneNote]

Why it works:

• Use tablets for diagrams, equations, and PDF annotation
• Easy to back up and organize by subject
• Easy to locate files
• Compactable and easy to carry between classes (my favorite part!)

2. Spiral or Hardcover Notebooks

For students who like structured pages, spiral or hardcover notebooks with ruled or graph paper are excellent. I use these in classes where professors write by hand and don’t move through content too  quickly.

Why it works:

• Easy to flip through pages and visualize everything in one spot
• Graph paper is ideal for equations, charts, and drawings

3. Planners for Time Management

A daily or weekly planner is essential for balancing classes, projects, and study sessions. I personally have a to-do list running everyday that I keep in my planner.

Why it works:

• Helps track deadlines, assignments, and study blocks
• Encourages planning focused study sessions (like Pomodoro blocks)

4. Budget-Friendly Options

You don’t need to spend a lot to stay organized. Affordable notebooks and planners still get the job done. Here I have linked a few of the notebooks I use daily to do practice problems. I have been using Five Star Spiral Notebooks since grade school, and there is nothing I love more. Choosing the right notebooks and planners can make studying more productive and less stressful. Whether you prefer physical notebooks, digital apps, or a combination of both, these tools help you stay organized and focused throughout your STEM courses. Pick the ones that suit your study style and start planning smarter today!