Living with friends is great. Bit of chaos, lots of fun, occasional frustration. But whether you live with three or in a big house with eight people: planning is often a challenge. Who cooks when? Who cleans? When is exam week? And when is that one parent coming to visit?
A big planner on the wall makes all the difference. Not in your phone, not somewhere in a Google Sheet that no one opens, but visible to everyone in the house. And yes, that can work surprisingly well. Even if you never normally write anything down.
In this article, we show you step by step how to bring peace to your dorm with simple planning. So that you have more time for fun things - and less time wasted on vague appointments, double shopping or kitchen discussions.
Why a shared planner works in a student house
Planning may sound dull, but it is anything but that. It is not about being strict, but about clarity. And that is often hard to find in a student dorm. That is why a planner in a central location is a gamechanger.
1. ✅ Everyone sees what is going on
No more endless group app conversations about who should clean the bathroom. No more asking the same question five times a day: "Who is actually cooking tonight?" Everything is on the wall. In colour. Visible to everyone.
2. ✅ Appointment = appointment
If something is on the planner, it's official. Less room for excuses. You have filled something in yourself or had it filled in, so you know what is expected of you. Works better than a half-remembered promise during a hangover breakfast.
3. ✅ More overview in busy weeks
During exams, deadlines or group projects, you don't want any misunderstandings. Then you want to know who is studying when, who is at home, and who is or is not cooking. A good weekly planner brings peace of mind.
4. ✅ Less miscommunication
"But you were supposed to be cooking today, right?" → it just says on the wall. "Why are the toilet rolls out?" → no one wrote them down on the grocery corner. "When do we actually clean?" → every Sunday, is fixed.
5. ✅ The house runs more smoothly (without feeling severe)
A visual planner acts as a silent coordinator. Without shouting or pushing, he makes sure things just happen.
What can you plan for in a student house?
A collaborative wall planner is surprisingly versatile. Here are things you can easily put on it:
- ☕ Cooking grids: who cooks when? Who does the dishes?
- 🚿 Cleaning grids: toilet, bathroom, kitchen, corridor
- 🚊 Visits: parents, friends, lodgers
- ✏️ Exams and deadlines: show who's busy
- 🎉 Parties or outings: plan together, avoid chaos
- 🍇 Groceries or orders: who gets what?
- ⌚ Silent hours: during exams or online lectures
- 🏠 Housing consultation or house budget planning
Combining all this creates a kind of command centre for your household. Without the need for Excel or sifting through a group app.
Why The Wallplanner is ideal for student houses
The Wallplanner is an extra-large whiteboard calendar (140 x 70 cm) specially designed to provide overview for longer periods. Not for a while, but for the whole year - 52 weeks at a glance.
Benefits of The Wallplanner for students:
- ✅ Large enough for several people at once
- ✅ Reusable: can be refilled every week
- ✅ Whiteboard format: simple erasure, easy customisation
- ✅ Durable: lasts for years
- ✅ Fits on a door or large wall in kitchen/corridor
- ✅ No batteries, apps or wifi required
And most importantly, he works. You don't need to install anything, no one needs explanations. Just hang up and go.
🔗 Check out The Wallplanner: https://www.thewallplanner.com/grote-kalender/
Tips to make your planner successful at home
Hanging up a planner is step one. But how do you make sure everyone actually uses it? Here are eight practical tips:
1. Hang it where everyone passes by every day
For example:
- Kitchen wall
- Door to balcony
- In the corridor next to the coat rack
- On the pantry door
2. Use fixed colours per housemate
Opt for 1 colour per person. Or work with initials, symbols or even mini stickers. This way, it is immediately clear who filled in what.
3. Keep it playful
A planner doesn't have to be businesslike. Make it fun:
- Add inside jokes
- Use smileys or drawings
- Let someone be the 'plan filler of the week'
4. Schedule a fixed weekly moment (5-10 min)
For example:
- Sunday night after dinner
- Monday at first coffee
- Thursday before going out
Use this moment to discuss the new week together.
5. Give space for leisure
Not everything has to be planned. Leave blocks open for spontaneous drinks, series watching or a last-minute party.
6. Combine with other tools
If necessary, use a shared shopping app or a shared Spotify playlist for cleaning. The planner remains your central visual hold.
7. Keep it neat (but not overdone)
Occasional cleaning is enough. It doesn't have to be a work of art, just clearly readable.
8. Celebrate when things are going well
A week all according to plan? Celebrate with pizza. Planning = teamwork.
What other students say about a planner at home
"There are five of us and the weekly planner has literally solved our arguments about cooking. Really everyone looks at it."
- Lisa (22), Nijmegen
"At first I thought: nonsense, we're not a primary school, are we? But now I don't want to be without it. Even my girlfriend writes her visiting moments on it."
- Kevin (24), Groningen
"During exams, it's chill that you can just see who needs rest when. We allow each other more space since we plan."
- Tom (21), Utrecht
Frequently asked questions
How many people can use the planner at once?
At least 6-8 people can plan just fine on one planner. Use colours, boxes or a legend.
Is the planner easy to clean?
Yes. With a whiteboard cloth or simple cleaner, you can wipe it down in 1 minute. Use good markers, though.
Does it also work in busy homes with lots of changes?
Right then. New housemate? New colour, done. The system stays put.
Isn't it childish to work with a planner?
Not if you use it relaxed and honestly. It is not a criminal record, but a way to avoid misunderstandings.
What if no one participates?
Just start by yourself. If you write things down that make sense, others will naturally follow. The power of visible oversight is that it works, even without pressure.
Run bit of structure makes it more fun
Living together is supposed to be fun. And a bit of structure helps with that. Not to be strict, but to keep things clear. So that you don't have to meet every day about who does the dishes, or when that one birthday was again.
A big planner on the wall gives peace, overview and less hassle. Leaving you more time for chilling out, studying or spontaneous things.
