10 Tricks Behind An Organized Calendar (for Students)

*3-Minute Read*

(Photo Credit: mywhiteboards.com)

When I was a full-time college student, there were plenty of class obligations, plus other random events, to keep track of. In the past, I had relied on my memory. However, I knew this amount was too much for my brain to handle. Thus, I bought a calendar and kept it in my room.

Here are my tips: 

1) Get a white board calendar

With a paper calendar, you either write with a pencil (which is hard to see from a distance) or a pen (which you can't erase). Using a marker board gives you the writing of a pen and the ability to erase like a pencil. 

2) Get a monthly calendar

I've had a weekly calendar before, but it became irritating when I needed to study some material over a week before the exam date. A calendar that displays the entire month helps you keep track of what to prepare for in advance. 

3) Hang it on the wall to where you can take it off whenever you need to

To do this, I suggest punching a hole in the two top corners of the board and then stick dangling hooks in them. It's much easier to write on a calendar laying on a desk rather than it being pressed against the wall. 

4) Categorize classes and other obligations by color-coding 

Remember that you only have so much room to write on a calendar. I would give a different color for each class and anything else you have consistently, then write out the remaining information in black. 

5) Only mark down a class taking place when something is due that day

I hope that, at some point, you have your schedule memorized. When this time comes, omit the class times unless you have a paper due for your 10:00 class or an exam in your 3:30 class. There's no reason to jot down something you're guaranteed to remember. 

6) If you know how long an event lasts, just put the start time

This serves as another reminder to both remember the little writing space you have and that there's no reason to jot down something you're guaranteed to remember. If you only have one 90-minute class to finish an exam or have a dentist appointment that almost always lasts 45 minutes, just put the start time to keep all those day's plans lined up from earliest to latest. 

7) If there is an event that lasts all day, put the event name right next to the number and then underline it

It is a way for important holidays and birthdays to stick out. It also makes an all-day event stand out; you're less likely to schedule anything on the date that's completely underlined. 

8) Jot down cancellations

I'm not talking about an occasional appointment or a yearly event. Just erase those cancellations and, if possible, mark the rescheduled date. I'm talking about consistent events that you're naturally wired to attend. Avoid walking to class or driving to an appointment for no reason. 

9) If you need to write down specifics, utilize the notes section

Simply put a star or some other indicator by the event on the calendar date that the note is referring to. And voila! 

10) If you need a calendar on the go, use Google's 

Remember that Google accounts also come with gmail, maps, and a plethora of other products to use. It's possible to do #4 and #7 on Google Calendar, as well as fit in all the information you need. It's default mode is weekly viewpoint, but you can also view it by month (which I've already recommended) or even by the day. 

I can't recall ever forgetting about something that was scheduled, at least nothing significant, with this method. I hope this can help you, too!

- Liv