Create an Effective Schedule

Given how difficult it can be to balance free time with the academic demands of college (along with all the other demands on your time), you should think about how you might create a schedule for managing your time.

Start with Fixed Events

Creating an effective schedule begins by identifying and prioritizing your long-term fixed commitments. Start by recording all non-negotiable activities, such as your class times, work schedules, holidays, family obligations, appointments, and important deadlines listed in your syllabus. These form the foundation of your schedule because they are set in stone and require your attendance.

Once you have big deadlines filled in, you can work backward, scheduling time to work on specific assignments, breaking them down into manageable tasks, and time to study for quizzes and tests. When planning to write a paper, for example, enter the final due date in your long-term planner. Then, set individual deadlines for each milestone in the writing process—creating an outline, completing the research, finishing the first draft, editing the draft, and preparing the final copy. By meeting these interim due dates, you make steady progress toward completing the assignment throughout the term. That sure beats trying to crank out all those pages at the last minute.

Digital Calendars

Using a digital calendar is a great way to keep track of when your assignments are due and quizzes and tests are scheduled. Consider using the calendar included with your personal or school email, such as Google Calendar or the calendar app that comes preloaded on your phone such as Apple Calendar, to document these important dates. Creating your schedule digitally is extra convenient as it is easy to move events around as needed, and is easily accessed everywhere you go.

Fill in Free Time with Flexible Tasks

Once these fixed events are mapped out, you can thoughtfully fill in your remaining time with flexible activities. Allocate specific blocks of time for studying, making sure to plan 2-3 hours of study for every hour spent in class. Additionally, carve out time for social activities, exercise, hobbies, and daily errands. This balance ensures that you’re not only staying on top of your academic responsibilities but also maintaining a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.

You can schedule these flexible tasks on a day-to-day basis rather than weekly if you’d prefer to have more flexibility. Start by brainstorming a to-do list of everything you want to get done. Then estimate the amount of time you need for each task, and rank each task by priority. Then schedule in time on your calendar to complete the tasks, starting with the most important. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t accomplish everything in one day, but praise yourself for making steps toward accomplishing your goals.

Make The Most of Your Study Time

Regardless of your schedule, you want to make the best use of your study time. The following strategies are designed to help.

• Study difficult subjects first: Start with your most challenging or least enjoyable subjects when your energy is highest. For example, tackle complex math problems in the morning rather than late at night. Save your favorite subjects for later.
• Know your best time of day: Identify when you’re most focused—whether it’s early morning or afternoon—and use that time for demanding tasks like writing papers or studying for exams.
• Use waiting time wisely: Turn small moments into study opportunities. Review flashcards while waiting for appointments or listen to recorded notes during your commute.
• Study two hours for every hour in class: For every hour spent in class, dedicate two hours to focused study. If you’re taking 15 credits, aim for 30 hours of study time weekly, and avoid distractions to make this time effective.

Build in Buffer Time

After structuring your schedule, it’s crucial to build in flexibility and buffer time. Life is unpredictable, and unexpected situations are bound to arise. To accommodate this, include travel time between activities, schedule regular mental breaks to recharge, and allow extra time for larger projects and exam preparation. This built-in flexibility prevents you from feeling overwhelmed when plans change.

ADHD and Time Management

Executive dysfunction and time blindness, commonly experienced by people with ADHD, can lead to difficulties in managing time effectively. Individuals may struggle to track how much time has passed, underestimate the duration of tasks, or frequently miss deadlines. To cope with these challenges, strategies such as using timers, consciously tracking time for tasks, incorporating buffer time in schedules, and boosting dopamine through activities like exercise or exposure to sunlight can help improve time management and create a more structured daily routine.^[1]

Have a Backup Plan

Finally, ensure you have a solid backup plan for emergencies or disruptions. Have a plan in case you experience technical issues with your computer or phone or cannot access your online classroom because it is down for maintenance. In this case, you should know where you can go for help with technical issues such as your institution’s information technology department’s help desk or going to your institution’s library to use a campus computer. It may also be helpful to download important documents from your online classroom at the start of the week to ensure if there are technical issues or scheduled downtime for maintenance, you have hard copies of the documents.

Dealing with the Unexpected

As much as time management is a useful tool, sometimes life has other plans. Do your best to manage your time, but know that sometimes emergencies, unexpected tasks, and events come up. Having a backup plan or a buffer in your schedule can help you plan for the unexpected and stay on track. If you fall behind, reach out to your instructors to make a plan to catch up before you miss your due dates—instructors are usually willing to work with you if you reach out as soon as you know you won’t be able to meet a due date.

Effective time management in college means intentionally planning your schedule to balance academic responsibilities with personal well-being. Start by identifying your fixed and flexible time, creating a thoughtful schedule, building in buffer time, and always having a backup plan. Remember that the purpose of creating a schedule is not to make you feel overwhelmed by all of the things you have to do; rather, its aim is to help you take a first step toward recognizing the demands on your time. Armed with the truth about how you use your time, you can make more accurate plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Schedules

Student Question	Answer
1. Do I really need to create a study schedule?	Yes! Even if you think you can manage it mentally, juggling multiple classes, activities, and events can make it easy to lose track. A written schedule helps you plan enough study time—and follow through. Plan your time weekly, monthly, and by the term. Your college may have planning tools based on the quarter or semester system.
2. How much time should I spend studying?	spend studying? A general rule is 2–3 hours of study for every hour of class. That means a 3-hour class needs 6–9 hours of studying per week. If you’re taking 15 credits, expect to study 30–45 hours per week—like a full-time job. Think of learning like practicing a sport or game—the more you actively engage, the better you get.
3. Should I include anything else in my schedule besides class time?	Yes. Think about whether your schedule is just a list of due dates or a full plan for your day. A more detailed daily plan is better. Also, notice when you’re most focused—morning, afternoon, or evening—and schedule your most challenging tasks during that time.
4. My schedule changes a lot. How do I plan around that?	Build a flexible or variable schedule that can shift if something unexpected comes up. It’s okay to adjust as needed—just have a plan for how you’ll make up for missed time.
5. Is cramming really that bad?	Cramming may feel productive short-term, but it’s ineffective for long-term learning. You’re more likely to forget the material quickly. Studying in smaller, regular chunks helps your brain process and remember information better because that’s how learning works best.

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