Getting a bird’s-eye view—or big picture—of each college term will allow you to plan ahead effectively. An academic calendar is a calendar that shows all the important dates that are specific to your campus: financial aid, registration, and add/drop deadlines; midterm and final exam dates; holidays; graduation deadlines; and so forth. You may have received an academic calendar when you registered for classes, or your campus bookstore may have one for sale.

Knowing your big-picture academic deadlines will be helpful as you add deadlines for specific assignments, papers, and exams into your calendar. It is important to refer to your college’s academic calendar to add important dates and deadlines, such as when the registration period starts and ends and when you need to pay your tuition or file your application for financial aid or scholarships. Remember, also, that you have to keep track of important dates, not only in your own life, but also in the lives of those close to you—birthdays, doctor’s appointments, work schedules, travel, visits from out-of-town guests, and so on. Different aspects of your life have different sorts of time requirements, and the goal is to stay on top of all of them.

You might prefer to use an electronic calendar on your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. (See the Tech Tip in this chapter for different options.) Regardless of whether you prefer a paper or electronic calendar, it’s a good idea to begin the academic term by reviewing the syllabus for each of your courses and then completing a preview (Figure 2.1), recording all of your commitments for each day, and using different colors for each category:

FIGURE 2.1 Monthly Calendar

Using the course syllabi provided by your instructors, create your own monthly calendars for your entire term. Provide details such as the number of hours you anticipate spending on each assignment or task.

Recording your daily commitments allows you to examine your toughest weeks during each month and each term. If research paper deadlines and test dates fall during the same week, find time to finish some assignments early to free up study time. If you use an electronic calendar, set reminders for these important deadlines and dates.

Overall, you should create monthly (Figure 2.1), weekly Figure 2.2), and daily (Figure 2.3) views of your calendar. All three views are available in an electronic planner, but you can also create monthly, weekly, and daily calendars with paper planners.

FIGURE 2.2 Weekly Timetable

Using your term calendar, create your own weekly timetable using a conventional template or one that uses an app such as LifeTopix. At the beginning of each term, track all of your activities for a full week by entering everything you do and how much time each task requires into your schedule. Use this record to help you estimate the time you will need for similar activities in the future.

FIGURE 2.3 Daily Planner

Notice how college, work, and personal activities are noted on this daily planner.

Once you complete your monthly templates, you can put them together to preview your entire academic term. Remember to provide details such as the number of hours you anticipate spending on each assignment or task.

As you create your schedule, try to reserve study time for each class and for each assignment. Not all assignments will take an equal amount of time to complete. Estimate how much time you will need for each one, and begin your work well before the assignment is due. A good time manager frequently allows for emergencies by finishing assignments before actual due dates. If you are also working on or off campus, reconsider how many hours per week it will be reasonable for you to work on top of your academic commitments, and whether you need to reduce your credit load to ensure that you have enough time for both work and school.

Remember that managing your time effectively requires practice. You may have to rearrange your schedule a few times, rethink some priorities, and try to use your time differently. The more you apply time-management skills, the more time you can save.

Being a good student does not necessarily mean studying day and night and doing little else. Scheduling time for work and pleasure is important, too. After all, most students have to juggle a lot of responsibilities. You might have to work to help pay for college, and you probably want to spend time with family or friends to recharge your battery. And most people also need time to relax and unwind; that time can include getting some exercise, reading a book for pleasure, or seeing a movie. Note that the daily planner (Figure 2.3) includes time for other activities as well as time for classes and studying.

When using an electronic calendar, it’s a good idea to print a backup copy in case you lose your phone, cannot access the Internet, experience a computer crash, or leave your charger at home or in your residence hall. Carry your calendar with you in a place where you’re not likely to lose it. Checking your calendar regularly helps you keep track of commitments and maintain control of your schedule. This practice will become invaluable to you in your career. Check your calendar daily for both the current week and the coming week. It takes just a moment to be certain that you aren’t forgetting something important, and it helps relieve stress. Consider setting regular times to check your calendar every day, perhaps right after eating breakfast and then again in the evening, to see what’s coming in the days and weeks ahead.

Keep the following points in mind as you organize your day: