Discbound is my favorite type of planner so when I found the TUL notebooks online which looked quite similar to my favorite ARC discbound notebook I wanted to see it for myself!
I purchased the TUL student planner although there is also a teacher planner and refills to create your own personal planner.
Related: Planner Organization: Why I use the Arc Planner instead of binders
Quick facts
- Size: approx 6.5″ wide x 8.75″ high
- Discbound binding
- Softcover
- This belongs to page in case your planner is lost
- Dates at a glance
- Neutral inside pages
- 2 page weekly spread (starts on Monday)
- 2 Page monthly calendar (starts on Sunday)
- 12 double sided lined notes pages
- Some student oriented pages
- 1 sheet of planner stickers
- Pocket folder
- Snap in ruler with tab top
- Sticky notes dashboard
- No tabs
Let’s take a closer look!
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Mentioned in the video: How to make a DIY Planner Cover (plus free printable cover)
The Cover
Similar to the Arc notebook, the TUL planners come with poly covers making the planner very lightweight. There is also the option to purchase more sturdy leather covers.
Approx 0.5″ thick
This belongs to page & Yearly overview
Holidays Page
The planner is from the USA so has USA holidays pre-printed. There is also space to add your own important dates.
If you run out of space on the above pages, or you want to plan things in more detail (like a future log) there’s additional annual overview pages. <3 this horizontal layout.
Monthly Calendar
Week starts on Sunday. Unlike most monthly calendars this planner has lined writing space.
US holidays are pre-printed on the monthly calendars (and weekly spreads).
Unfortunately the planner does that annoying thing where it splits a box in 2 rather than re-starting the dates on the top row.
Weekly Planner
A very simple lined horizontal weekly spread that starts on Monday (not consistent with the monthly calendar).
Saturday and Sunday share the same amount of space as a weekday.
Assigned Reading
While this is a student planner, there aren’t that many pages specifically oriented towards a student. You could tear these out and use the planner as a normal weekly planner.
The only student pages are assigned reading and class schedule.
Extras
A snap in ruler with a tab top and double sided pocket folder are included.
As well as sticky notes and planner stickers
Notes pages
12 double sided lined notes pages (TUL have pre-punched refills you can purchase separately if you need more)
Tabs
There are no tabs in this planner. You can purchase TUL brand divider pages separately if you’d like to add them. The cover extends beyond the pages so any dividers / tabs will be protected.
Pen Testing
The paper feels so smooth to write on (just like the ARC paper)
There was light ghosting for most pens, especially marker pens (my Uni Pi dual tip) and the highlighters.
Pros of the Planner
- Portable size
- Very lightweight
- Discbound
- 1 sheet of planner stickers
- Double sided pocket folder
- Snap in ruler with tab top
- Sticky notes dashboard
- The paper is bright white and very smooth to write on
Cons of the Planner
- For being a student planner there aren’t that many student oriented pages
- Paper had some pen ghosting
- No cover personalisation (and the cover is plain)
- No tabs
- Not widely available (could only get it online)
- Generic layouts
Things to Note
Much like the ARC discbound notebook, TUL have a punch so you can print, punch and add your own refills (although the punch doesn’t look as sturdy as the Arc). They also have pre-printed inserts, expander rings, list insert pages, sticky notes, leather covers etc.
TUL also have gel pens that write super smooth which are available on Amazon (affiliate link).
Would I use this planner?
Yes! I love discbound planners so I’d definitely use the TUL planner / notebook system. With a much more affordable price tag than the ARC notebook I’d recommend this if you’re buying your first discbound notebook to try.
More planner reviews:
Planning Tips:
- Finding planner peace: how to choose the right planner page size for you
- How to resize a printable to fit A5 or US half letter (5.5 x 8.5) page size
- Planning on a budget: If I only had $50 to spend on planner supplies, this is what I’d buy
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This TUL planner is sold at Office Depot (in-store) and online at officedepot.com. The teacher planner is very nice also. The pens are great too!
Sadly we don’t have Office Depot here in Australia 🙁
My only comment, after following you for several months/a year? is that you should toss that purple highlighter. It ghosts/bleeds through every single thing you’ve ever reviewed. Not just a little. It is the worst ghost/bleeder on Every. Single. Planner you have ever reviewed. I’d red at her see purple in a different brand. Switch it up. I like Sharpie brand regular versus florescent yellow. What does that look like? Whatever brand that purple is in (that’s horrible), what other colors does it come in? Is the orange that bad? Green? Pink? Help me out.
Hi Emily, I try to keep the pens, highlighters etc. that I use for pen testing consistent between the planners, so people can see a like for like comparison between the paper quality of each planner.
That’s supposed to say “rather.” Autocorrect on my phone is brutal.
Hi Rachael,
I learned about Tul almost by accident. I love the plain notebook for notes in class settings. When I first found Tul I didn’t even know there where other disc bound note books. Have you tried any of the Arc pages/discs with the Tul, or vise versa? What I mean is how much different is the disc spacing for Tul than other brands? Any help is awesome. I have been following you for a while now, and love your style of writing.
Hi Ronda, glad you’ve found my blog helpful 🙂
I just posted this guide / FAQ for discbound planners: https://allaboutplanners.com.au/guide-to-discbound-planners-frequently-asked-questions/
Short answer: yes the ARC & TUL discs, disc spacing and page sizes are compatible. They are also compatible with the MAMBI Happy Planner
I’m reading this on my phone. Maybe I missed it but how do I order this? I live in Canada.
Hi Alicia, The TUL planner is from America. You may be able to order off the Amazon website or Staples. Otherwise I shared other discbound brands in this post: https://allaboutplanners.com.au/guide-to-discbound-planners-frequently-asked-questions/ most of the discs and spacing etc. are compatible between the brands. The best alternative (in my opinion) is the Happy Planner as it’s affordable, cute, there’s lots of options, there’s disc refills and a punch. My sister stocks the Happy Planner in her shop if you’re interested: http://carefullycrafted.com.au/happy-planner/