Using an Academic Planner

Objectives
Student will be able to:
  • identify the criteria for a good academic planner.
  • describe how to use an academic planner.
  • use an academic planner to track assignments.

Introduction
A good academic planner is an essential tool for successful time management. There are a variety of planners, calendar systems, and digital planner applications available. A good planner system has the following:
  • Space for recording daily homework
  • Space for recording a daily action list
  • Tabbing or marking system to locate "today" 
  • Monthly calendar pages 
  • Space for recording long-term goals
  • Space to track your grades

A planner is a helpful tool because it shows all of the day's homework at a glance, reminds you of upcoming tests, and allows you to plan for upcoming projects. Using an academic planner is an ongoing task. Make sure you record your assignments in your planner each day. Check your planner before leaving school so that you know which books to bring home that evening. During every Sylvan session, we will work with you on your academic planner to make sure you are on track.


Application
Now it is time to practice using your academic planner.
1.

Take out your academic planner and open to this week. 

  • Write down all of your homework and assignments that were added today, as well as the tasks you need to complete this week for upcoming projects and tests.
  • Write your action list for today.
  • Write down any grades that you received today so you can track your progress.

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers will correctly list student's homework assignments, projects, action list, grades, and other tasks.
 

2.

Now turn to the monthly view in your planner.

  • Make note of the long-term assignments you have this month.
  • Check to make sure that any long-term assignments that are due right away are ready to be turned in.
  • Write an action list for what you need to do today to make progress on these projects.

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers will correctly list student's long-term assignments due this month, as well as what needs to be done on the project each day.
 

3.
In your Study Skills Portfolio, explain how using an academic planner will help you become a more organized student. Write three goals for using your planner.

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • When I use an academic planner, I won't forget any assignments. I also won't miss due dates, because my calendar will be clear and I will know what I need to do, and when. My goals for using the planner are to be more organized, to stay on track for long term assignments, and to have my homework completed each day.
  • Using an academic planner will help me become more organized, and I won't forget assignments or miss important deadlines anymore. I will work on my projects a little at a time, rather than rushing the night before, I will know when assignments are due, and I will use the action list to know what I need to accomplish each day.
 

Please evaluate the student's answers:

Success

Practice

Review