Staying on Track: My Google Calendar Strategy

Like many others in this program, I juggle a full schedule - classes, clubs, part-time jobs, and more. With so many things on the go, it can often be hard to find time for it all. I’ve found that using an online calendar (specifically Google Calendar) has been a game-changer for managing my time effectively. Below, I included some of the strategies that I use to help manage my schedule.

Leverage Calendar Attachments

When I’m out, I never want to be searching for important information. If I’m attending a ticketed event, I typically add the ticket PDF directly to the calendar invite so it’s easy to find. I’ve found this strategy also helpful when doing things with friends. For example, when attending the movies with friends (with pre-purchased tickets), I’ll attach the tickets to the event (which I add them to), labeling each file with the relevant person’s name.

Use Tasks to Identify Actionable Items

For actionable tasks, I find it helpful to have them in my calendar as a task that I can “check off” when it’s completed. I also add repeating tasks to remind me about things like bill payments or rent, which repeat monthly.

Red Blocks Indicate Unconfirmed Plans

When making tentative plans with people, I highlight them in red so they stand out in my calendar and remind me to follow up with the relevant individuals. Once the necessary details (time, location, etc.) are confirmed, I change the event colour back to my default colour. This has been especially helpful for making time with friends. When someone says, “We should hang out,” I’ll open my calendar and add a red placeholder. It might be a few weeks out, but that colour cue reminds me to reconnect closer to the date. I’ve found that this specific strategy has been really helpful to stay connected with friends, who also often have busy schedules.