How to Use a Calendar to Stay on Top of Your Semester

University life can get hectic, fast. Between lectures, assignments, group projects, and exams, it’s easy to lose track of important dates. But here's the secret to staying calm and in control: a well-planned calendar.

Whether you're a first-year student still adjusting or a senior trying to manage a final-year project, student calendar planning is a simple but powerful tool that can drastically improve your academic performance and well-being.

At BridgeOne, we’ve built intuitive calendar and planning features into our student success platform to help you master your semester one week at a time.

🧠 Why Calendar Planning Matters

Effective academic deadline tracking ensures that nothing slips through the cracks. A calendar helps you:

✅ Avoid missing assignment deadlines and exam dates
✅ Reduce last-minute panic and all-nighters
✅ Make time for tutoring sessions, social activities, and rest
✅ Balance academics with other responsibilities like part-time jobs or student leadership
✅ Develop long-term planning habits that are essential in the workplace

📅 Types of Calendars You Can Use

There are many types of calendars, but here are the most common and student-friendly:

🔹 Digital Calendars (BridgeOne, Google Calendar, Outlook)

Easily sync across devices, set recurring events, and get reminders.

🔹 Physical Planners or Wall Calendars

Perfect for visual learners who benefit from seeing the full month at a glance.

🔹 Academic Planners or Diary Books

Come pre-filled with dates for the academic year—ideal for writing in lecture times and to-do lists.

🔧 How to Use a Calendar Effectively

1. Enter Your Semester Schedule Early

At the start of the term, add:

• Lecture and tutorial times

• Assignment due dates

• Exam periods

• Public holidays and campus closures
  🟢 BridgeOne lets you upload your timetable or input it manually for easy integration.

2. Break Down Your Assignments

Don’t just record the final due date. Add reminders for:

• Research and reading

• Draft submission (if required)

• Editing and referencing

• Final submission
  🟢 Use colour coding in your calendar (e.g., red for deadlines, green for study time).

3. Schedule Study Blocks

Treat studying like an appointment—book it in! Use your most productive hours for the hardest subjects. For example, 08:00–10:00 for Maths, 14:00–15:30 for reading.

4. Make Time for Tutoring and Wellness

Add your tutoring sessions, group work, or counselling appointments to your calendar, just like any academic obligation.

5. Use Alerts and Reminders

Set 24-hour, 1-week, and 1-hour reminders for all major deadlines and exam dates to stay ahead of the game.

🧭 How BridgeOne Helps You Plan Smarter

BridgeOne isn’t just another study planner—it’s an all-in-one academic success platform built for students like you. Here's what sets our calendar and planning tools apart:

• 📅 Personalised Academic Calendar: Automatically syncs with your institution’s schedule

• 🔔 Deadline Tracking Alerts: Receive reminders for assignments, tests, and bursary reapplications

• 🎯 Goal Planning Features: Align your study blocks with your GPA and graduation targets

• 👥 Tutoring & Mentoring Bookings: Schedule support sessions directly within the app

• 🧘 Wellness & Mental Health Reminders: Balance productivity with wellness check-ins

✨ Real Student, Real Success

"BridgeOne helped me realise how poor my time management was. Once I started using the calendar feature, I stopped missing deadlines, managed my stress better, and even found time to apply for internships."
— Lerato, 3rd Year Engineering Student, UCT

📌 Final Tips for Semester Success

• Review your calendar every Sunday evening to plan the week ahead.

• Leave buffer time between tasks—don’t overbook your day.

• Use digital and physical calendars together if that helps you visualise.

• Adjust your schedule each month based on exam cycles or project phases.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Academic success doesn’t happen by accident, it’s planned. With a strategic student calendar and reliable study planner, you’ll stay ahead of your deadlines, reduce anxiety, and create time for what really matters.

If you’re ready to take control of your schedule, BridgeOne is here to guide you—one calendar reminder at a time.

Start planning smarter today.
Sign up for a free BridgeOne account and use our integrated calendar and academic planning tools built just for South African students.