Dear freshmen, specialties in stationery

Hamza Zakir, Yusra Khan, and Chloe Smith

April 28, 2026

The Sidekick staff photographer Chloe Smith, staff writer Yusra Khan and editorial page editor Hamza Zakir study while using various stationery tools. The staffers think using special stationery can maximize productivity and lead to good academic habits.

“Dear Freshmen” is a series where a sophomore, junior and senior staff member each give personal anecdotes along with advice about a certain topic with the aim of helping the incoming sophomores and current freshmen.

In this edition of Dear Freshmen, The Sidekick staffers share the benefits of utilizing helpful stationery strategies throughout high school. Read more to find out how to remain organized without enduring stress or reducing enjoyment.

The Sidekick staff photographer Chloe Smith uses Post-It notes, Expo markers, a stationery pouch and colorful pens and highlighters to track work and visualize due dates. The staffers think using special stationery can maximize productivity and lead to good academic habits. (Neev Chickermane)

Chloe Smith - Staff Photographer

“We have a test today?”

I have lost count of how many times the phrase has resonated within classrooms.

From extracurriculars to keeping up with your social life, it’s easy to lose track of the future ahead of you.

When I was a freshman, it was a matter of time before I was submerged with homework from eight classes. The idea of periods being split into A and B days made it seem manageable at first.

However, the workload proceeded to rise and I needed a solution. Now, the same solution is twice as useful as a sophomore.

I assumed emails and constant reminders from teachers would limit negligence of academic priorities. Nonetheless, relying on others the majority of the time turned out to be inefficient as high school progressed.

Planning consists of anything from a fancy calendar to a checklist in your newest notebook. Calendars and checklists are useful for tracking homework assignments as they help with time management, task prioritization and stress reduction.

Creating a list allows me to visualize my workload and prepare for upcoming deadlines.

Furthermore, generating a calendar with aesthetic format embedded such as colors and backgrounds strengthens levels of motivation and productivity.

Superficially, tracking academic tasks daily seems overwhelming and tedious. However, owning a personal anecdote for your success diminishes distress to a minimum while maximizing an enjoyable high school experience.

The Sidekick staff writer Yusra Khan uses erasable colored pens, a planner, midliner highlighters, Post-It notes, a pouch and paper clips to plan out time and reduce stress. The staffers think using special stationery can maximize productivity and lead to good academic habits. (Neev Chickermane)

Yusra Khan - Staff Writer

Highlighting. Tabbing. Underlining. The thought excites me as I reach into my backpack with a smile on my face, ready to learn. I pull out my notebook and pastel colored pouch to begin my notes of the AP U.S. History lecture.

Many people often overlook stationery and the many uses it has — other than highlighting, tabbing and underlining. For me, stationery has always been a form of motivation.

Whether online or physical, making my notes look aesthetically pleasing makes me want to study. Using physical planners, colored pens and bookmarks has made me look forward to taking notes during class and learning.

Through stationary, physical notebooks and planners, teenagers can slow down and breathe when they are overwhelmed with schoolwork. It is a useful way to reclaim a sense of control over a toppling workload.

I would advise students, regardless of age, to optimize stationary in their studying. Not only does it help you remember better when you physically write it down, but it is a reminder to organize your thoughts.

The next time you feel overwhelmed in class, pull out your planner and write a to-do list with empty boxes next to each task. The satisfaction of checking each task off may be more satisfying than completing the task itself.

The Sidekick editorial page editor Hamza Zakir uses Pilot G2 pens, a Casio calculator, a satchel and a colorful notebook to have fun in a dedicated environment. The staffers think using special stationery can maximize productivity and lead to good academic habits. (Neev Chickermane)

Hamza Zakir - Editorial Page Editor

Freshman year exposes something most people don’t think about: how you organize your work. Sometimes it’s about whether your notes are readable, your assignments are easy to track and your setup actually helps you focus instead of overwhelming you.

That is where stationery comes in.

It sounds simple, but the tools you use can completely change how you approach school. A clean notebook makes it easier to keep track of ideas without flipping through messy pages, and a good pen that writes smoothly can make notes feel less like a chore. Something as small as color-coding with highlighters turns a confusing page of notes into something you can actually study later.

When everything is crammed into one place, it’s easy for work to feel unmanageable. Having designated notebooks, folders or planners creates structure. You know where things go, where to find them and how to start.

Separate your work from your leisure. Establish a place dedicated to getting your schoolwork done then and there, rather than convincing yourself that homework will get done in your laziness-inducing bed.

During the pandemic, it was easy to procrastinate on work because instead of sitting at a desk dedicated to learning, you were home. But the same principle applies inside your room. It can be as simple as sitting at a desk, going to your home office or sitting at a table in the living room. What matters is that you keep that space as one that is reserved just for productivity. Otherwise it all gets muddled.

And make it fun! Get nice colored pens, cool highlighters and aesthetic journals that make finishing work satisfying. Whatever motivates and keeps you engaged.

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About the Contributors

Hamza Zakir, Editorial Page Editor

Hamza is a senior and the editorial page editor for The Sidekick. He has a passion for writing, especially expressing his opinions through various columns. When he’s not writing stories, you can find Hamza eating corn, listening to Mitski or playing with his cat “Kofta.” You can find Hamza at @hambamzz on Instagram and you can contact him by email at [email protected].

Yusra Khan, Staff Writer

Yusra Khan is a junior and joined The Sidekick from the Parkway West Pathfinder in 2026. After trying out journalism as a freshman, Yusra discovered a new outlet for her love of advocacy and speech through newspaper. She joined The Sidekick as a way to continue her passion in this realm of creativity and expression. Although she was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, she moved to Dallas, TX for the Muslim community in the summer of 2025. She enjoys crafting, baking, and learning about history and politics. You can contact her at [email protected]

Chloe Smith, Staff Photographer

Chloe Smith is a sophomore and first year photographer for The Sidekick. She joined the program to expand her skills with photography and journaling. When she’s not behind a camera, Chloe can be found playing guitar, weightlifting or discovering new music. She loves to spend time with friends and family, try new foods and shop at her local Bath and Body Works. Chloe is also involved in School of Rock, Black Student Union, Music for Medicine and the powerlifting team. You can contact Chloe through email at [email protected] or [email protected] and also on instagram at @chl03sm1th_

Neev Chickermane, Staff Writer

Neev Chickermane is a junior and second-year staff writer for The Sidekick. After joining this program because he had a free elective period during his sophomore year, he found a love for all parts of the program. He especially loves writing feature and news stories and exploring the stories around the community. In his free time, you can find him playing Brawl Stars, studying or listening to his favorite artists, Tame Impala and Saint Motel. He is part of Boy Scouts and also likes to participate in the Poetry Society. His favorite shows are “Stranger Things”and “My Life with the Walter Boys”. Neev is a fanatic of capybaras and loves everything about them. He even has a shirt. If you bring anything capybara related to him, he will be extremely happy. Feel free to contact him by email at [email protected] or on Instagram (@ap_hug_lover).

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

Dear freshmen, specialties in stationery

Coppell Student Media

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