HELPFUL TIPS & STRATEGIES
FOR USING A SEMESTER CALENDAR
The purpose of a semester calendar is to let you see all of your due dates, activities,
appointments, etc. in one place for the entire semester. Here are some tips to help you along.
Getting Started:
1. Locate all course outlines. Be sure to get a hard copy from class or a printed copy from
Blackboard.
2. In the notes section below, create a color code or abbreviation system for classes,
assignments, etc. Use a highlighter or colored pens/pencils to identify and coordinate your
calendar. For example ECO (economics), TST, QZ (test, quiz), SOC, LAX (lacrosse game).
3. Record due dates and other important activities. Include exams, tests, quizzes, projects,
presentations, reading assignments, labs, essays, research papers, and field trips.
4. Record the extras: academic advisement meetings, group and club activities, campus
events, athletics, etc.
5. Use the shaded area for personal activities and appointments (doctor, travel home).
Things to Consider:
1. First, check for patterns, sequences and weeks with many deadlines, etc. For example:
week 7 – multiple tests or projects due.
2. Then use your semester calendar to identify challenges well in advance and revise your
weekly calendar by adjusting your scheduled study blocks and work time to avoid last
minute cramming.
Next Steps:
 To print the calendar: save as a PDF to the cloud, u drive or flash drive, print – choose fit
page which will print an 8.5 X 11 copy. If you would like an 11 X 17 copy please email your
saved calendar as an attachment to [email protected] and a copy will be printed
within 48 hours. Please pick up your copy in the General Tutoring area, 3rd floor of the
library.
 Now that you have your semester calendar organized, you’re ready to plan your weekly
calendar.
 Meet with an ASAP staff member to review your semester calendar and complete your
weekly calendar.
 Implement calendars into your routine and during conversations with instructors, staff,
advisors and peers.
Example of a SEMESTER CALENDAR
SUNDAY
8/29
8/30
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
8/31 ENG rough draft 9/1
FRIDAY
9/2 P.S. speech
SATURDAY
9/3
No Classes
Soccer practice
Soccer Game
Soccer practice
Soccer Game
Soccer practice
9/4
9/5
9/6 Bio Lab
9/8 Bio exam
9/9
9/10
No Classes
Labor Day
9/7 SOC quiz
ENG – 2nd draft
College Closed
Soccer Game
Soccer practice
Soccer practice
Soccer Game
Soccer practice
9/12
9/13 Bio Lab
9/14 ENG – paper due 9/15
9/16 P.S. speech
SOC Exam
9/17
Soccer Game
Soccer Game
Soccer practice
Soccer practice
Soccer Game(tour) Soccer Game(tour)
9/19
9/20 Bio Lab
9/21 SOC quiz
9/22
9/23
9/24
9/30
10/1
WEEK
2
TUESDAY
Classes Begin
WEEK
1
8/28
MONDAY
FALL 2016
WEEK
3
9/11
Soccer Game
9/26
9/27 Bio Lab
9/28
9/29 Bio exam
10/2
10/3
10/4 Bio Lab
10/5 ENG rough draft 10/6
10/7 P.S. speech
SOC Exam
10/8
10/9
10/10
10/11 Bio Lab
10/12 ENG – 2nd draft 10/13
10/14
10/15
10/16
10/17 SOC quiz
10/18 Bio Lab
10/19 ENG – paper due 10/20 Bio exam
10/21
10/22
10/23
10/24
10/25
10/26 SOC outline
10/28
10/29
Activities Day
draft - research paper
No Classes
11/5
WEEK
8
WEEK
7
WEEK
6
WEEK
5
9/25
9
Soccer Game(tour) Soccer Game(tour)
WEEK
WEEK
4
9/18
10/31
11/1 Bio Lab
11/2 ENG rough draft 11/3 Bio exam
11/4 P.S. speech
SOC Exam
Advising Week
Advising Week
Advising Week
Advising Week
Advising eek
11/9
11/10
11/11
Priority Registration Priority Registration Priority Registration
Priority Registration
Priority
Registration
11/14
11/17
11/18
11/19
WEEK
10
10/30
10/27
11/7 ENG – 2nd draft 11/8 Bio Lab
11/12
WEEK
11
11/6
11/13
11/15 Bio Lab
11/16 SOC draft research paper
WEEK
12
ENG – paper due
11/21Go Home 
11/22
11/23
11/24
11/25
11/26
Thanksgiving
College Closed
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
No Classes
College Closed
College Closed
11/30
12/1 Bio exam
12/2 SOC Exam
12/3
12/7
12/8
12/9 P.S. speech
12/10
WEEK
13
11/20
11/27
11/28
11/29 Bio Lab
WEEK 14
No Classes
12/4
12/5 ENG rough draft 12/6
WEEK
15
SOC research paper
12/12
12/13
12/14 ENG – paper due 12/15 Bio exam
WEEK
16
12/11
12/18
Fall Semester Ends
ACADEMIC SUCCESS & ACCESS PROGRAMS
FLCC.EDU/LEARNINGSUPPORT
12/16
12/17
Blank SEMESTER CALENDAR
SUNDAY
8/29
TUESDAY
8/30
WEDNESDAY
8/31
THURSDAY
9/1
FRIDAY
9/2
Classes Begin
SATURDAY
9/3
No Classes
9/4
9/5
No Classes
Labor Day
WEEK
2
WEEK
1
8/28
MONDAY
FALL 2016
9/6
9/7
9/8
9/9
9/10
College Closed
9/12
9/13
9/14
9/15
9/16
9/17
9/18
9/19
9/20
9/21
9/22
9/23
9/24
9/25
9/26
9/27
9/28
9/29
9/30
10/1
10/2
10/3
10/4
10/5
10/6
10/7
10/8
10/9
10/10
10/11
10/12
10/13
10/14
10/15
10/16
10/17
10/18
10/19
10/20
10/21
10/22
10/23
10/24
10/25
10/26
10/27
10/28
10/29
11/5
9
Activities Day
WEEK
WEEK
8
WEEK
7
WEEK
6
WEEK
5
WEEK
4
WEEK
3
9/11
No Classes
10/31
11/1
11/2
11/3
11/4
Advising Week
Advising Week
Advising Week
Advising Week
Advising eek
11/7
11/8
11/9
11/10
11/11
Priority Registration Priority Registration Priority Registration
Priority Registration
Priority
Registration
11/13
11/14
11/15
11/16
11/17
11/18
11/19
11/20
11/21
11/22
11/23
11/24
11/25
11/26
Thanksgiving
College Closed
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
No Classes
College Closed
College Closed
WEEK
10
10/30
11/12
WEEK
13
WEEK
12
WEEK
11
11/6
11/27
11/28
11/29
11/30
12/1
12/2
12/3
12/4
12/5
12/6
12/7
12/8
12/9
12/10
12/11
12/12
12/13
12/14
12/15
12/16
12/17
WEEK
16
WEEK
15
WEEK 14
No Classes
12/18
Fall Semester Ends
ACADEMIC SUCCESS & ACCESS PROGRAMS
FLCC.EDU/LEARNINGSUPPORT
HELPFUL TIPS & STRATEGIES
FOR USING A WEEKLY CALENDAR
The purpose of a weekly calendar is to help you plan your time and accomplish weekly goals and tasks. Use the weekly calendar alongside your
Semester Calendar.
1. When & where are you most alert? What is the best time and place for you to get work done?
 Are there classes you need to use professor office hours and/or open lab hours? (put on schedule) Tip: office hours are on course
outline and the General Tutoring Website.
 Are there assignments /quizzes due on a weekly basis that you could work on at the same time every week?
 When do you usually socialize?
2. Indicate the following on the weekly calendar: Classes and Labs, work, club meetings, activities, necessities (eating, etc.), free time
(socializing friends, etc.)
Tip: With the remaining open blocks, build in time for the study cycle (Preview, Review, Study sessions and rewards (every class).
3. Set Goals: Consider the time you have established and set reasonable study goals. Tip: Consider using a To Do List with your goals.
 How much you are trying to accomplish in one day – Be Realistic!
4. Reflect & Adjust
 What extra time do you have & how do you want to use it?
 Are you spending your time in a way that aligns with your goals? What is important to you?
 Do you prefer a paper copy or electronic version? Make a decision and stick to it – Tip: use it!
The Study Cycle:
PREVIEW 5-15 Minutes

Before Class, skim new material.

Note big ideas!
ATTEND

Go to class!

Take notes.

Ask questions.
REVIEW 10-15 minutes

Reread notes.

Fill in gaps.

Develop questions.
STUDY 30-50 minutes

Schedule several focused study sessions per class each week.
CHECK

Can I teach this material top someone?

Are my study methods effective?

Study Ratio: 2 to 1 – example: a 12 credit schedule = 24 hrs.
of study time!
Adapted from Frank Christ’s PLRS system.
©2015 Louisiana State University, Center for Academic Success
Study Cycle Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vEWBnIqxcg
Academic Success and Access Programs
Develop a Code and Label Activities
ENG – English SOC – Sociology P.S. – Public Speaking Bio – Biology Study Cycle – Preview, Review, Study, Reward/Break
Example of a WEEKLY CALENDAR
7:00
8:00
9:00
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
Breakfast
Commute
Breakfast
Commute
Breakfast
Commute
Breakfast
Commute
Breakfast
Commute
Breakfast
Commute
Breakfast
Commute
Work
Free Time
Preview Bio
Preview ENG
BIO
10:00
ENG
BIO
11:00
SOC
BIO
Lunch
Free Time
12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
FALL 2016
Review SOC
Preview P.S.
Lunch
Free Time
Commute
Free Time
Preview ENG
ENG
SOC
Lunch
Free Time
BIO
BIO
Lunch
Preview Bio
BIO
BIO
BIO
BIO
BIO
Review SOC
Preview P.S.
Lunch
P.S.
Review ENG
Review P.S.
Yoga
Yoga
Review Bio
Free Time
Review ENG
Review Bio
Review P.S.
Study
Session
Study
Session
Study
Session
Free
Time
P.S.
Free Time
Preview ENG
Work
ENG
SOC
Lunch
Free Time
Review SOC
Preview P.S.
P.S.
Lunch
Free Time
Review ENG
Commute
Review P.S.
Reward/Break
4:00
Free
Time
Reward/Break
Study Session
Study
Session
Study
Session
Reward/Break
5:00
6:00
Study
Session
Dinner
Commute
Study
Session
Commute
Commute
Commute
Commute
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Study
Session
Study
Session
Preview SOC
Free Time
Study
Session
Study
Session
Reward/Break
Reward/Break
Study
Session
Study
Session
Study
Session
Study
Session
Free
Time
Reward/Break
Reward/Break
Study Session
Study
Session
Study
Session
Study Session
Free
Time
Free
Time
Dinner
Preview SOC
7:00
Preview SOC
Free Time
8:00
Study
Session
Study
Session
Reward/Break
Study Session
Reward/Break
9:00
Study
Session
Reward/Break
Reward/Break
10:00
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
11:00
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Free
Time
Academic Success and Access Programs
Develop a Code and Label Activities
ENG – English SOC – Sociology P.S. – Public Speaking Bio – Biology Study Cycle – Preview, Review, Study, Reward/Break
Blank WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
Midnight
Academic Success and Access Programs
Develop a Code and Label Activities:
Saturday