How to Achieve an Aesthetic Student Theme in Notion

Note: This article assumes basic familiarity with Notion and its features.

Notion, the all-in-one productivity tool, allows users to create custom templates and personalized workspaces. A popular use case is organizing student life—from class notes and assignments to study schedules and project management. Adding an aesthetic touch to your Notion workspace makes it both visually pleasing and motivating. In this article, we explore several ways to achieve an aesthetic student theme in Notion using current features and best practices, including the new Notion AI integrations and enhanced collaboration tools.

1. Choosing the Right Workspace

Create a separate workspace exclusively for your student-related tasks to maintain focus and organization. To create a new workspace in Notion, click the workspace dropdown menu (located at the top left corner of your screen) and select Create a Workspace. Name it something like Student Life and choose a relevant icon from the available options. With recent updates, you can further personalize your workspace by setting a cover image and using Notion AI to auto-suggest layout improvements for a more cohesive design.

2. Customizing the Sidebar

The sidebar is an essential component of your Notion workspace, providing quick access to your pages and databases. To achieve an aesthetic student theme, customize the sidebar by:

• Using relevant icons for each section (e.g., a book icon for "Class Notes" or a graduation cap for "Goals").
• Organizing pages into a visually structured order.
• Renaming pages for clarity and style.

These visual tweaks make your workspace more intuitive and visually appealing.

3. Organizing with Pages and Databases

Notion allows you to create pages and databases to organize your student materials. To create a new page, click the + button in the sidebar and give the page a title such as Class Notes, Assignments, or Study Schedule. You can choose from various built-in templates—like Meeting Notes, To-Do List, or the newly improved Task Manager template—to structure your pages effectively.

Databases are powerful tools that enable you to store, sort, and visualize information. To set up a new database, click the + button in the sidebar and select Database. Choose a view that suits your needs (e.g., Table, Board, or Calendar). Customize database properties by adding columns like [Due Date](https://www.notionry.com/faq/how-to-create-a-due-date-template-in-notion-for-tracking-and-managing-deadlines-9c525) or Status to efficiently track assignments and projects. Notion also offers smart sorting and filtering features to further streamline your study materials.

4. Applying Aesthetic Templates

Notion offers a wide range of templates designed by both the community and the official team. These templates can be imported into your workspace to instantly bring an aesthetic flair. To access templates, click the + button in the sidebar and select Template Gallery. Browse through available options and choose templates that align with your student theme. Popular updates now include the refreshed Weekly Planner, Study Tracker, and Class Schedule. After importing them into your workspace, customize these templates with cover images or custom icons to perfectly match your desired aesthetic.

5. Customizing Blocks and Headers

Notion blocks let you add varied content types such as text, images, lists, and multimedia. Enhance the aesthetic appeal of your pages by experimenting with different font sizes, colors, and header styles. Use headers to divide pages into sections, making navigation straightforward and visually engaging. For instance, create sections like Lecture Summaries, Assignment Tracker, or Exam Revision using distinct header styles.

6. Utilizing Icons and Emojis

Icons and emojis add a lively, personalized touch to your Notion workspace. Notion provides a built-in library of icons that you can easily insert into your pages or database entries. Use icons to represent subjects, modules, or categories, and incorporate emojis into titles or headers to emphasize content and add personality. This simple customization not only enhances visual appeal but also aids in quick navigation.

7. Adding Visuals and Media

Integrating visuals and media elements can transform a plain workspace into an engaging environment. Enhance your pages by adding:

• Images: Upload relevant pictures or set cover images that align with your theme.
• Videos: Embed lecture clips or tutorials from platforms like YouTube.
• Documents: Insert PDFs such as class syllabi or presentation slides.

These enhancements not only make your workspace aesthetically pleasing but also support diverse learning styles.

8. Using Kanban Boards for Task Management

Kanban boards remain an excellent tool for visualizing tasks and managing projects. Create a Kanban board in Notion by adding a Board database and customizing its properties. Set up columns to represent task stages, such as To-Do, In Progress, and Completed. With recent improvements, Notion now supports enhanced drag-and-drop functionality and better label customization, making it easier to keep visually consistent, color-coded boards that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

9. Keeping a Minimalist Design

While adding aesthetic elements, maintaining a minimalist design is crucial to avoid clutter. Overloading your workspace with decorations or excessive elements can diminish usability and distract from the main focus. Keep a clean, organized layout where aesthetic touches enhance functionality without overwhelming the content. Use whitespace strategically and focus on simple yet effective design elements that promote both clarity and beauty.

In conclusion, achieving an aesthetic student theme in Notion involves thoughtful organization, personalization, and creative use of visual elements. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can create a visually pleasing and motivating workspace tailored to your academic pursuits. Remember, the key is balancing aesthetics with functionality to ensure your workspace remains both attractive and practical.