Student Toolbox

What is scheduling for students?

The term scheduling can be used in many contexts, which might make it confusing. For students, however, it has two main meanings:

Scheduling means defining a time, duration, and place for a specific activity. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, it is “to arrange for something to happen at a particular time.”

This concept can be divided into two categories:

1. Group scheduling – activities planned collaboratively.

2. Self-scheduling – activities planned individually.

Group Scheduling

Coordinating a time that works for all team members to meet or work together can be challenging. Fortunately, apps and websites like Doodle or Calendly offer tools to simplify the process. The main hurdle, however, is agreeing on which tool to use as a team.

Self-Scheduling for Students

Students commonly face two issues when creating their schedules:

1. Allocating dedicated time for studying. Many students leave study sessions to whatever free time is left, which is a big mistake.

2. Prioritizing tasks effectively. Deciding what to do at any given time requires setting clear priorities.

How to Overcome These Challenges

Step 1: Plan Your Week

Spend 20–30 minutes designing your ideal week. Decide when you will start and finish studying each day (Monday to Sunday). This plan, if done well, may only need updating once or twice a year, making it a worthwhile investment.

Step 2: Define Your Priorities

Identify your academic goals for the year. Many students aim to balance all subjects and perform their best during exams. However, your goals are personal and should reflect what’s most important to you.

Putting It All Together

Once you’ve completed the first two steps, start scheduling daily activities within the framework you’ve created in Step 1 and guided by the priorities set in Step 2.

• Daily Planning: Spend 10–15 minutes each day reviewing your to-do list. Prioritize tasks, assign time slots, and estimate their duration.

• Flexibility is Key: Avoid creating plans for more than 2–3 days in advance. Circumstances may change, and initial time estimates might be inaccurate. A shorter planning horizon ensures your schedule remains relevant and realistic.

By following this approach, you can build an effective and adaptable scheduling system that aligns with your goals and priorities