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All of the tips you need to make the most of your time and prioritize what matters to you
Why use a weekly schedule?
How much time should I spend on my classes?
Tips for managing your time effectively
Tips to avoid procrastination
Make a weekly schedule to make sure everything you need to do gets done.
Make sure to place blocks in your calendar each week that are dedicated to studying for each course.
Make sure to take time away from your phone each day.
Include both academic and non-academic commitments - including work, appointments, meals, and leisure - in your schedule.
Schedule things you need to do before you schedule extras that you'd like to do.
Don’t over commit: try to avoid cramming your schedule with activities and tasks, instead leaving some free time for flexibility
Spread things out your time: try to spread activities without fixed times across the week so that they are not all concentrated on already busy days.
One way to get started: on a small whiteboard, label each day of the week, noting free time each day. Then, fill each day in manually with your tasks in order of due dates/importance.
As soon as an assignment is given, make a realistic timeline to finish all of the work by the due date.
When registering for courses, make sure the courses you want - as well as the courseload that comes with them - will fit around your existing schedule for the semester.
Many computer and mobile operating systems have built-in calendar and reminder apps, including:
Outlook Calendar: Microsoft Office 365/PC calendar (connected to Outlook email)
Google Calendar: Google Workspace/Chromebook/Android calendar
Google Tasks: Google Workspace/Chromebook/Android app for to-do lists
Apple Calendar: macOS/iOS calendar (for Apple devices)
Apple Reminders: macOS/iOS app that can be used to create to-do lists
Other calendar/scheduling options:Â
Notion: AI productivity software
Synchro: Browser extension for student productivity
Todoist: Browser extension for to-do lists and daily planning
For more options, search "productivity apps", "daily planner", "to-do list", or similar queries on the Internet, your device's app store, or your browser's web store (for browser extensions).
Sample student schedule: Full-time
(Source: College of Southern Nevada)
Sample student schedule: Working adult student
(Source: John Wood Community College)
Pick up a free custom MCC student planner!
Monthly planner pages
Weekly planner pages
Simple weekly schedule (document)
Weekly schedule with objectives, to-do list, and notes (spreadsheet)
Monthly planner (spreadsheet)
Monthly calendar with events (document)
Weekly assignment planner (document)
Weekly assignment planner (document)
Idea planner (spreadsheet)
Project planner (document)
More customizable templates are available through Microsoft Excel and Canva.
For more help with building a personal schedule, visit ACE or the Wellness Resource Center on either campus.