DOWNLOAD THE BLANK SCHEDULE FROM THIS LINK AND FOLLOW THE STEPS LISTED BELOW WHEN FILLING IN YOUR SCHEDULE.

1. In the appropriate spaces enter all your FIXED COMMITMENTS first.
   • Enter your classes and the hours they meet for every day of the week.
     On a separate paper write down the total number of hours you spend in class, for example 16.
   • Enter the hours you spend at a job, either on-campus or off. If it is off-campus you must also include travel time to and from your job.
     Total the number of hours spent at work and add them to the number of hours in class: 16 + 24 = 40
   • Enter the hours you have set aside for scheduled meetings, church, sports practice, games, errands, and regular family obligations. If you have children and are involved in their activities by driving, coaching, tutoring, and/or supervising, these hours must also be included.
     Add the number of hours spent on the activities mentioned above and include them in your list on the separate piece of paper: 40 + 10 = 50
   • Enter time set aside for meals and meal preparation. Whether you in are in charge of the meal, the clean-up or preparation, include all the time spent on this activity for three meals a day.
     Add this number up, remembering to include 3 meals a day for 7 days a week and add this to the list on the other paper: 50 + 14 = 64
   • Don't forget recreation and relaxation time. If you have a particular TV show you watch, set aside time for that. If you have a regular date night set aside, make sure you mark that time down as well. If you spend time working out, include that because physical well-being is just as important as good mental health.
     Since this time may vary from day to day and week to week you may have to estimate how many hours you will set aside. Don't forget to include this in your weekly schedule: 64 + 15 = 79
   • The last item to include in your fixed commitment should be your sleep schedule. Mark the time you regularly go to bed as well as the time you get up in the morning.
     Total the number of hours you spend sleeping and add that to the list: 79 + 56 = 135
     
   
   TOTAL HOURS OF FIXED COMMITMENTS = 135
   
   
2. Add up the hours spent doing these activities and subtract them from 168 hours. The remaining number is the non-scheduled time you have available to study and do all other activities. The student that makes use of both small and large blocks of time to tackle assignments is a more effective student. 168 - 135 = 33
   
   TOTAL # OF UNSCHEDULED HOURS LEFT TO STUDY = 33
   
   
3. Fill out a blank weekly schedule using the information about how you spend your fixed time. When the schedule is filled with your fixed commitment information, take a highlighter and outline the block of open time. You will notice that free time does not come as one large block of time but rather in half-hour to two-hour blocks of time. These open hours are the ones you have available for studying. Click on this link to see a sample schedule filled with fixed commitments and highlighted open hours.
   
   
4. To maximize the use of your free time, you should have a study plan and understand your study habits. To review helpful Study Skills Tips, click on this link.
   
   
5. You should now be ready to fill in the rest of your weekly schedule with your study plan. Remember to study your most difficult classes when you are less distracted and more alert. Use the ideas listed below for appropriate tasks to accomplish in small and/or large blocks of time.
   • Study tasks that can be completed in small half-hour to hour blocks of time
     • review notes from Health class
     • make note cards of new Biology vocabulary words
     • skim the chapter headings of the next Geology reading assignment
     • organize study materials for Sociology class
     • read part of a chapter in Psychology and make notes in the margins
     • go to the Writing Center or Math Center and work with the tutors
     • practice math problems from today's class
     • listen to a tape of a lecture from American History class while commuting to campus
   • Study tasks that require large blocks of time (one hour or more)
     • do research at the library for an English paper
     • revise notes from Psychology class
     • make an outline for Western Civilization essay questions
     • trade and compare notes with a classmate in Anthropology
     • spend one hour reading Art and Ideas and another hour making a study matrix for Sociology
     • go to the computer lab to finish this week's assignments
     • attend an Academic Programmer study session for the American History exam on Friday
     • visit the History tutor to review notes for the American History test on Thursday
   
   
6. With your schedule filled with fixed times and study times, don't forget to leave time for leisure and fun with friends. The weekends are usually a good time for these activities, but always try to save Sunday night to prepare for Monday and update your schedule for next week.

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