Strategies for Creating an Effective Weekly Schedule

Plan Time to Plan

One of the most effective ways to balance your time and accomplish your priorities is through a weekly schedule. Set aside time each week to make a schedule for yourself that incorporates your busy times (classes, work, personal activities) but gives you a chance to map out and plan for the things that are important to you (studying, sleep, eating, exercise). Creating an effective schedule for yourself involves knowing where and when you do your best work and a realistic assessment of how long you can work or study before you need a break.  

Student on a laptop with an open notebook next to him

Tips for Building Your Schedule

  1. Include regular commitments. Make sure your weekly calendar includes all your regular commitments, such as meals, exercise, and bedtimes. This helps you maintain a balanced lifestyle and ensures you don’t overlook important activities.
  2. Allocate study time. Plan 2-3 hours of study for each course credit. For a 3-credit class, this means 6-9 hours of study per week. If you’re taking 12-16 credits, aim for 30-45 hours of weekly study time to stay on top of your coursework.
  3. Plan breaks. Breaks are essential for maintaining focus and preventing burnout. Make sure your schedule includes breaks; build in planned activities that break up study sessions and help you relax and recharge. 
  4. Overestimate tasks. Allow extra time for tasks, especially at the beginning of the term when you’re learning how long things take. Overestimating ensures you have enough time to complete tasks without feeling rushed. 
  5. Include flex time. Schedule blocks of time that you can use for whatever is needed most. Flex time provides a cushion for when things don’t go as planned, helping you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. As you get better at estimating how long things take, you can scale back your flex time.  
  6. Color code and use symbols. Make your schedule appealing and easy to understand by using color-coding and symbols. Assign different colors to classes, work, and social engagements. This system allows you to quickly understand your commitments within the day/week.

Student looking at post-it notes on a desk

Remember: Try not to get discouraged if your schedule gets off track one week. Take a step back, assess your system, and try again! It may take time to figure out what works for you.

Assess and Improve 

Every skill can benefit from being practiced, honed, and improved. Here’s how you can make sure your system is one that works for you.  

  1. Know your best work conditions. Identify when, where, and how long you work most effectively. Understanding your optimal work conditions helps you plan your schedule around your peak productivity times.  
  1. Assess your system. Regularly evaluate your time management system to see if it’s working effectively. Consider keeping a time log to track how you spend your time and make adjustments as needed. This ongoing assessment helps you refine your approach. 
  1. Keep your schedule visible. Ensure your schedule is always accessible and visible. Set it as your phone lock screen, hang it up where you work, or make copies for your binders. Keeping your schedule in sight helps you stay on task and plan ahead.