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How to use Google Calendar to organize your entire life this year
With school in full gear, it's easy-peasy to lose track of upcoming exams, assignments, and club meetings. Throw birthday parties and family brunches into the mix, and, suddenly, forgetting to write that major grade English essay seems almost inevitable. Don't worry—we've *totes* been there!
The best way to make sure that your seemingly endless to-do list doesn't pile up? Organize. We've tried dozens of productivity apps, spreadsheets, and planners, so trust us: no system does the trick like Google Calendar. You can access your own calendar by downloading the Google Calendar app on your phone or visiting the Google Calendar link on your computer and logging in with your Google account.
Without further ado, here's how to use the tool to make your life *the* neatest it's ever been.
1: Customize your calendars for every part of life
A math exam, basketball practice, and dinner date slated for the same day can feel *so* overwhelming, but breaking it down into categories makes everything a hundred times more manageable.
On Google Calendar, you can create custom calendars for every aspect of life to find a stable balance between all of your different due dates and events. Want to schedule pool parties and family reunions? Make a "Family and Friends" calendar. Can't keep track of college application deadlines? "College Apps" calendar! How about squeezing in a quick Blogilates workout before school? You've got a "Workouts" calendar for that, ofc.
2: Color code to match your vibe
We don't know about you, but color-coding calendars with adorable colors is our definition of happiness. You can customize colors to match your style and personality for a serotonin boost every time you check your to-do
If you're going for a beachy vibe, fill your calendar with bright blue hues and cream pastels. On the flip side, if you love dark academia, go for rich, earthy tones like forest green and burgundy.
You can find aesthetic color palettes on Pinterest, YouTube, or Coolors, our fave color scheme generator.
3: Time block to be *so* productive
Ever heard of time-blocking? It's simple: time-blocking is essentially a time management strategy that delegates chunks of time for specific tasks. By promoting single-tasking, it's designed to maximize focus and effort.
So how do you time block? It's also simple: divvy up your day into "blocks." You might have a 7 A.M. to 3 P.M. block for school, then a 2-hour long block for band practice. After getting home, you could block out a 30-minute break before you go and tackle your calculus, English, history, and biology homework (in that order). Your study sesh could be followed by a yummy dinner and a FaceTime call with your BFFs.
Once you block out your time, you might just become more productive than you've ever been. (Reminder: if you need a break, don't be afraid to go off schedule!)
4: Remember that its okay to be less than perfect
Now that your calendar is all ready to go, it's important to think of it as more of a guide than an end-all-be-all. If you completely blank and forget to study for a quiz, or if you want to take a day off to recharge, it's all good. Be kind to yourself, and remember that it's okay to *not* get it all right. We're rooting for you!
Send us pics of your finished Google Calendars on Instagram @girlslifemag!
All GIFs via GIPHY
Slider image via @flaneur.nim on Instagram
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