Keeping track of your academic and personal life as a student can be a real juggling act.
Between lectures, assignments, social events and a job (or maybe even two), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are several free scheduling tools available to help you manage your time more effectively.
Keep reading to explore three popular scheduling apps, including Curtin’s very own Elsie app, to help you stay organised and on top of your game.
Elsie (Curtin owned App)
Elsie is a personalised app designed specifically for Curtin students. It’s basically Blackboard for your phone, with a few other tools like a campus map, a uni progress tracker and daily quotes.
It’s an all-in-one tool that syncs with your university timetable, provides reminders for assignments, and even has the library catalogue on it!
Pros:
– University integration: Elsie is seamlessly integrated with your Curtin University schedule as per your student ID, ensuring you’re always in the loop about your classes and deadlines.
– Reminders: The app sends notifications for upcoming classes, assignments, and events, helping you stay on top of your responsibilities.
– The map: The map integrated in app shows different directions to classes, including the ability to toggle lift only/ avoiding stairs directions, eateries and points of interest on campus.
Cons:
– Curtin-specific: This app is basically an expanded blackboard, meaning you can’t add your own events to the calendar and can’t really edit much. It’s more just a one-stop-shop display for information you already have.
– Limited features: While it’s great for managing your academic schedule, Elsie lacks some of the more advanced features found in other scheduling apps, that can help you integrate it with your personal life.
Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a reliable and widely used tool that helps students stay organised. It’s simple, effective, and accessible on any device with a Google account, which are free to create.
Pros:
– Cross-platform syncing: Google Calendar syncs with your Google account, allowing you to access your schedule from any device.
– Customisation: You can colour-code events, set reminders, and integrate it with other apps like Gmail and Google Meet.
– Collaboration: Share your calendar with friends or group members to coordinate study sessions or group projects.
Cons:
– Basic interface and aesthetic: While functional, the interface is straightforward and might not offer the visual appeal some users prefer.
– Limited task management: Google Calendar is excellent for scheduling but doesn’t offer robust task management features, so you might need a separate app for to-do lists.
Notion
Notion is a versatile tool that combines scheduling, note-taking, and task management all in one platform. It’s perfect for students who want to keep everything organised in one place.
Pros:
– Highly customisable: Notion allows you to create custom pages for your classes, assignments and personal tasks, all organised in a way that works best for you.
– Integrated tools: Notion combines calendars, to-do lists, and notes, making it a one-stop shop for organisation.
– Collaboration: You can share pages with classmates, making it easy to work together on group projects.
Cons:
– Learning Curve: Notion’s vast customisation options can be overwhelming at first, and it may take some time to learn how to use all its features. It should be noted that there are plenty of tutorials online, and pre-made templates that you can download and edit, so keep trying!
– Complex for simple scheduling: If you’re looking for a straightforward scheduling app, Notion might feel like too much, as it offers far more than just scheduling capabilities.
As students, managing schedules can feel like a balancing act with so many responsibilities pulling you in different directions. But, with tech on our side, there are a variety of scheduling tools designed to help, each catering to different needs. The key is to find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different options until you find the right fit—it’s all about trial and error!
Give these tools a try and find out which one helps you stay organised and ahead of the game. Good luck!
