Calendar blocking is a time-maximizing strategy where every hour is filled with an activity. It can be used to increase accountability. It can also be a powerful tool for goal achievement.
As a university student, I have greatly benefitted from calendar blocking, especially on days where I have a lot of “free time”. This free time can easily be spent binge watching or slip away to running unnecessary errands out of boredom. With calendar blocking, I can try to spend my free time more productively and account for hours not spent in class or at work.
I now leave chores and running errands for the weekends, which I don’t calendar block. Every Sunday night, I sit down with my work schedule and course timelines and plan out my week.
The first things I do is put in my classes — this includes office hours, if I plan on going to them, or help sessions and deadlines. Then, I put in my work schedule. If I have any appointments, meetings, or other commitments, I add these in next. Afterwards, I add in meal times and physical activity like gym time, yoga classes, and walks. Finally, I fill in the blanks with my morning and night routines, study and coursework time, and leisure time.
Right now, I am in the last term of my fourth year and working on finishing my degree. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of my…
