LAW and POLICY

When you begin a new course, it is a good idea to plan the direction you will take throughout the term to keep yourself on track with what is required of you. It is usually helpful before the course even begins to review the course description, syllabus, and biography of your instructor. If you know that a class has the reputation for being daunting, you might also want to take a primer well in advance. For instance, if you want to get a handle on economics before day one of your college course, enroll in a MOOC or watch educational videos, e.g., Intro to Economics: Crash Course Econ #1.

 

Then, consider keeping a calendar that blocks off times for your classes as well as coursework. Be specific. Include starts and stops and what exactly you will be doing. If you know, for example, that a draft of your primary paper is due for peer review in week 4 of your term, schedule time blocks for crafting your thesis, freewriting the body paragraphs, drafting the introduction, editing the corpus of your essay, drafting the conclusion, designating a title, etc. Color code your tasks according to type, e.g., classes, meals, homework, workouts, and respite.

 

For help designing your schedule, read about Custom Planners, reach out to your instructor, and/or schedule an appointment with a tutor.

​

Below is a sample plan (without dates) for you to follow and/or adapt for your particular course's writing assignment. What you incorporate is up to you. Remember that you play the most active role in your learning and are the one in charge of how you allot your time.

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Course Plan