I hate missing deadlines. Fortunately, I can’t remember the last time that happened since I started to make the most of my electronic calendar. Whether you’re using Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, or iCloud Calendar, maximizing several features will help you stay on top of your assignments. 

To use your calendar to keep you on top of your deadlines, follow these simple steps.

1. Create an appointment on the due date, at the time you intend to submit the assignment. Name it “Project Due Date” or something similar.
2. The time of the appointment should be as long as you need to work on it or submit it. Setting your appointment time to “busy” will let others know you’re unavailable during those hours. (You can also dedicate time to the assignment outside of the due date using this same method.)
3. Use the reminder feature to add reminders about the deadline. I like to remind myself 2 weeks in advance, and 2 days in advance. Depending on the scope of the assignment, you may want more or less time between your reminders and your deadline. 
4. If the assignment repeats every month or week, use the recurring event feature. For instance, I have a report due on the 10th of every month (or the Friday before if the 10th falls on a weekend). I have a recurring appointment reminding me of the report deadline. However, because the 10th may fall on a weekend, I also review the future appointments and adjust individual ones that fall on the weekend.
5. Color code your deadlines. I use red for obvious reasons. When I look at my calendar at a glance each week, the red pops and I can quickly see the deadlines I’m working towards.
6. Invite others who need to work on the assignment to the deadline appointment. There will be no excuse for group work to fall off someone’s radar.

How do you stay on top of deadlines? Share below in the comments.