homework schedule diy

• Trying to Conceive
• Signs & Symptoms
• Pregnancy Tests
• Fertility Testing
• Fertility Treatment
• Weeks & Trimesters
• Staying Healthy
• Preparing for Baby
• Complications & Concerns
• Pregnancy Loss
• Breastfeeding
• School-Aged Kids
• Raising Kids
• Personal Stories
• Everyday Wellness
• Safety & First Aid
• Immunizations
• Food & Nutrition
• Active Play
• Pregnancy Products
• Nursery & Sleep Products
• Nursing & Feeding Products
• Clothing & Accessories
• Toys & Gifts
• Ovulation Calculator
• Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
• How to Talk About Postpartum Depression
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board
• Preschool Packing List
• Create a Morning Routine
• First Day Rituals
• First Day of School Signs
• Manage Separation Anxiety
• Find a Culturally Affirmative School
• Back-to-School Night
• Choosing a Backpack
• School Day Structure
• First Day Anxiety
• School Days Questions for Kids
• Improve Behavior at School
• Shopping List
• Setting Goals
• Homework Schedule
• Helping Kids Succeed
• Making Friends
• COVID-19 and the Classroom
• Dealing with Stress & Pressure
• Where to Shop
• Customized Gear from Etsy
• Hairstyle Ideas
• Healthy Habits
• Breakfast Ideas
• Creative Packed Lunch Ideas
• Packing a Bento Box
• Healthy Snack Ideas
• Brain Break Ideas
• Physical Activity at School

How to Make a Better Homework Schedule for Your Family

Verywell / Zackary Angeline

Why Homework Schedules Are Effective

• Developing a Schedule

Other Considerations

• Next in Back to School Planning Guide How to Help Your Kids Succeed in School

Do you frequently have homework struggles with your child or teen? Or, does your student procrastinate doing their work? Maybe they even fail to turn in assignments. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, a better homework schedule may help.

A regular homework schedule establishes predictable times when homework is to be completed. Once the homework schedule has been in place for a few weeks, you may even find your child will begin doing their homework without needing to be reminded—although you may still need to monitor their work progress.

If you're struggling with homework completion in your household, or if you're having daily battles about allotting the appropriate amount of time to homework, you're not alone. That's why educators recommend developing a homework schedule—with input from your kids.

Once you set a homework schedule, then there are no questions about when the work will be done. It also communicates clear expectations; having a homework schedule helps kids understand what is required of them. And following the schedule encourages them to develop a good work ethic.

Schedules also help prevent procrastination and instill good habits like completing work on time. Homework routines also improve study skills and encourage kids to plan ahead.

Other benefits include developing your child's work ethic and organizational abilities. By helping your child complete their work at regular intervals, you are modeling how to manage time and projects in the future. When you send them off to college , they will know how to pace their work so they can avoid all-nighters at the end of the semester.

How to Develop a Homework Schedule

To develop a homework schedule, start by talking with your kids. Get their input on how they would like to manage their time and incorporate their homework into their daily routine. A successful homework schedule allows kids to finish their work and also have some free time.

Give Kids an Option

If you ask kids when they want to do their homework, their first answer might be "Never" or "Later." But if you dig a little deeper, your child may tell you what matters to them as they plan their schedule. This information will help you avoid scheduling homework during their favorite television program or when they usually get online to play games with friends.

When you include your child in the decision-making process, you also will get more buy-in from them because they know that their concerns were heard. You don't have to give them their way, but at least considering what they have to say will let them feel included. After all, this homework schedule is about them completing their homework.

Allow for Free Time

Some kids can step through the front door and buckle down on their homework right away. When this happens, they reap the reward of getting their work done early and having the rest of the evening to do what they want. But most kids need to eat and decompress a bit before tackling their assignments.

As you develop your homework schedule, keep in mind your child has already spent at least six hours in class. And this time doesn't include getting to and from school or participation in extracurricular programs . Allow kids some free time before beginning their homework if that's what they need to unwind.

Establish a Timeline

Generally, you can expect about 10 minutes of homework per grade level of school. This means that a third-grade student will need about 30 minutes to complete homework. However, the amount of time needed can vary dramatically between students, teachers, and schools.

Find out how much time your child's teacher expects homework to take each evening. If your child takes a lot of time to complete their work or struggles with homework , talk with the teacher. Your child may need extra instruction on a task or tutoring assistance—or fewer homework assignments.

Pick a Homework Spot

Designate a comfortable and efficient spot for your kids to do their homework. This workspace should be well-lit, stocked with supplies , and quiet. The workspace should allow you to provide some supervision. 

If you have multiple kids trying to complete their homework at one time, you may want to find a separate location for each child. Sometimes kids can complete their homework together at the kitchen table, but other times having siblings around can be distracting. Do what works best for your family.

Put It All Together

Now that you know what your child's needs and concerns are for finding a time to do homework, you need to come up with the actual plan. Creating a homework routine is really just one piece of creating a daily school year routine .

For the homework time itself, get it down on paper so you can see exactly what they will be doing and when they will be doing it. Do this for each day of the week if you have different activities on different weekdays. Students who are assigned larger projects will need to review their homework plans regularly to make adjustments as needed.

Expect your child to work consistently throughout the assigned time. Avoid having multiple homework sessions, such as one before dinner and a second one after dinner. Starting and stopping may mean children may spend more time getting into what they are doing than working continuously.

Be Consistent

Once you have decided on a time to do homework, stick to the plan! It usually takes about three weeks for most children to really get into the habit of their new schedule.

If your child or teen has difficulty maintaining concentration for the length of time that their homework should take, then you may want to carefully consider breaking up the work to take advantage of the time when your child can focus.

This added step is especially important for children and teens with depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They may benefit from multiple smaller work sessions and more frequent breaks.

Even though the idea behind creating a homework schedule is to get your child to work consistently and independently, you may need to look over their work when they are done. This is especially important for younger children.

Make sure they understand their assignments and that they completed a reasonable amount of work during the homework session. If you find your child is having trouble actually working during their homework time, troubleshoot to find out what might be the issue. Sometimes kids need extra help and other times they simply need more motivation to get their work done.

If you find that your child continues to struggle with homework even with a schedule in place, you might need to dig a little deeper. Consider discussing your child's issues with their teacher or pediatrician.

Sometimes kids are reluctant to complete their homework because of undiagnosed learning disabilities. It could be that your child struggles with reading comprehension or has a processing disorder. Or it could be that your child is struggling with a mental health issue like anxiety .

A Word From Verywell

Establishing a homework schedule allows children to build some important life skills that will help them as they navigate high school, college, and eventually the workforce. Practice is important when kids are learning new skills. So, having a nightly homework routine enhances your child's learning. Just be sure you aren't requiring homework time at the expense of being a kid. Having time to play is just as important to a child's development as learning new material.

National Institute of Mental Health. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder .

By Lisa Linnell-Olsen Lisa Linnell-Olsen has worked as a support staff educator, and is well-versed in issues of education policy and parenting issues.

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

SquareTrade Blog

6 Tips for a Homework & Studying Schedule That Actually Works

Waiting until the last minute to cram for a test or to write an essay isn’t just going to make your life more stressful. It’s also less likely to produce the results you want.

Studies have shown that the most effective way to retain new material is with spaced repetition . This means engaging with the concepts consistently over a longer span of time.

If you want to cut down on the all-nighters, try these six easy tips to create a homework and studying schedule that actually works.

1. Review Your Homework in Advance

First, set some time aside at the beginning of your semester or school term to look over your assignments. Make sure you understand:

• What each one entails
• How much time each task will take
• Its due date

Then, check to see if you need any additional resources. For example, you may need a library book to complete an assignment. Nothing will throw off your schedule more than sitting down at your desk only to find out that you don’t have what you need to do the work. Reviewing your assignments before they’re due will help with efficiency once you start working.

2. Make Your Schedule as Specific as Possible

Once you have a list of everything you need to do, turn it into a daily or weekly schedule. Decide which tasks you want to do first and when. Then, you can write it in a planner or use an Excel template to create a printable homework chart.

Avoid generalized terms like “study Spanish for two hours.” Otherwise, you’ll be tempted to fill the time with the easiest task that falls into that category.

Instead, list specific items like, “write book report” or “study flash cards.” This way, you know exactly what you need to do and are less likely to put it off.

3. Find Your Preferred Study Routine

Sometimes you have to do homework when you’re tired or aren’t feeling well, but that doesn’t mean you should totally ignore what your body’s telling you.

According to the latest research , multiple 40-minute study sessions can be more productive than three-hour chunks. Experiment with studying at different times of day and for varying lengths of time.

Take notes about which sessions were productive and which ones weren’t to help you figure out your ideal study routine.

4. Download a Studying App

There’s no denying that phones can be distracting while studying. But if you use them wisely they can be a lot of help.

Use flashcard apps to create your own flashcards and gamify your study experience. These apps help you study in small bits throughout the day plus you won’t have to carry physical flashcards around with you.

There are other apps to help you learn a language, practice math, or take better notes . You can also use a homework scheduling app and color-code your assignments by subject.

5. Create a Productive Workspace

Using the same workspace every day can help you stick to your homework schedule. Avoid distracting places like the living room or kitchen, and try not to work on your bed or in front of the TV. Even small things, like making sure your laptop is charged or putting on your favorite study playlist, can make a big difference in your productivity.

Ideally, you should set aside a desk in a quiet room that’s comfortable enough to sit at for a few hours at a time. The more you use it for studying, the more you’ll associate it with productivity and be in the right headspace to get work done.

For some tips on how to get started, check out our guide on how to create the perfect homework environment .

6. Ask for Help if You Need it

Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Even if you have a good grasp on the material, sometimes studying alone can be isolating.

From joining an online study group to hiring a professional tutor for your SATs, there are plenty of ways to get outside support. You can ask a friend or parent to check in on your progress or proofread your assignments before you submit them.

Whether you’re in middle school, high school, or college, homework never really goes away. But you can make it more manageable with these six helpful homework and studying schedule tips.

Related Stories

5 Dining Room Chandeliers That Look Great & Save Energy

7 Gadgets You Absolutely Need in Your Man Cave

Keep Your Plant Babies Alive With a House Plant App

Related posts.

From Front Facing to Boosters: When Is It Time To Upgrade Your Child’s Car Seat?

Free Shipping to the U.S on Orders Over $35

Organizer's Essential Bundle

Cleaning & Organizing Bundle

Reusable Sticky Notes • White

• Tackie Markers • Smudge-Free Wet-Erase

Shop All Best Sellers

• Cute Themes
• Re-Stickable Calendars & To-Dos
• Wall Calendars & Planners
• Reusable Notepads
• Kids & Education
• Erasie Markers • Dry-Erase
• Magnetic Tiles
• Collaboration Tablets
• Frameless Whiteboards

Reusable Monthly Calendar

Your cart is empty

4 Tips for Creating a Homework Schedule

• Creativity and Practices
• Learning and Education

When the school year starts, it’s hard to find time for your homework. Multiple classes, extracurricular activities, and social events all pile on to an already busy schedule. To help you stay on top of everything, we’ve come up with a few tips and tricks for creating a homework schedule.

1. Identify Work Days

Use a Reusable Weekly Planner to lay out your schedule for the week. Color code your classes and activities with different Tackie Markers, so you know exactly where you need to be on each day. Make sure to include important deadlines and test dates to be prepared for! Then, identify your “work days”-- the days on which you have the most availability after school to get things done. These days will become your primary homework days so that you’re not struggling to write an essay on the same night as a late basketball game. Your schedule will fluctuate, so make sure to completely wipe and rewrite your planner at the top of the week!

2. Create a homework to-do list

Now that you’ve laid out your class schedule, it’s time to figure out what needs to get done. Go through the syllabi for all your classes at the beginning of each week, and write down every assignment for each class on a Reusable To-Do List. As you go through the week and complete your worksheets and readings, you can check them off with a Tackie marker.

3. Prioritize

When you’ve made a list of all your upcoming assignments, prioritize which assignments need to be completed first. For example, readings that you’ll need for the next class period should come before a long-term project that isn’t due until next week. Once you’ve finished your high-priority homework, then you can start to work on your more long-term projects so that you’re not saving all of that work for the night before it’s due. Sometimes it’s helpful to use a Reusable Priorities List to display your homework in the order that it needs to get done.

4. Take good notes

Creating an efficient homework schedule is great, but it can only go so far to help you succeed in the classroom. The best way to get your homework done in a productive manner is to take good notes in class. When you pay attention, ask questions, and really make sure that you understand the material, then it won’t take you nearly as long to complete your homework. You can even take a Reusable Jotter Notepad to class to jot down all your notes! Jotters are durable and lightweight, and they won’t smudge in your backpack, making them the perfect note taking tool.

No matter how you decide to organize your classes, extracurriculars, and assignments, make sure you create an agenda that works for you. Reusable Planners, Lists, and Jotters are easily customizable for your unique workflow, so you can create a homework schedule that lets you be the most productive and organized version of yourself!

Continue reading

Planners for Teachers, By Teachers

New Product Release: Reusable Locker Kit!

Cookie policy

I agree to the processing of my data in accordance with the conditions set out in the policy of Privacy.

The Tech Edvocate

• Advertisement
• Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
• Home Page Four
• Home Page Three
• Home Page Two
• Icons [No Sidebar]
• Left Sidbear Page
• Lynch Educational Consulting
• My Speaking Page
• Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
• Newsletter Unsubscription
• Page Example
• Privacy Policy
• Protected Content
• Request a Product Review
• Shortcodes Examples
• Terms and Conditions
• The Edvocate
• The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
• Write For Us
• Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
• The Edvocate Podcast
• Assistive Technology
• Child Development Tech
• Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
• EdTech Futures
• EdTech News
• EdTech Policy & Reform
• EdTech Startups & Businesses
• Higher Education EdTech
• Online Learning & eLearning
• Parent & Family Tech
• Personalized Learning
• Product Reviews
• Tech Edvocate Awards
• School Ratings

Questions That High School Students Have About College Admissions

3 ways to make warhammer terrain, 3 ways to brainstorm alone, 3 ways to memorize a speech in one night, how to bake a steak, how to find your spirit animal: 12 steps, 7 ways to know which chakra is blocked, how to paint surfboards: 14 steps, 3 ways to treat allergies in macaws, 3 ways to care for mynah birds, how to plan a homework schedule.

A well-organized homework schedule is the secret to academic success and a balanced lifestyle. Proper planning ensures that you have ample time for completing assignments, engaging in extracurricular activities, and spending quality time with family and friends. In this article, we discuss how to plan an effective homework schedule to help you stay on top of your schoolwork.

1. Assess your workload:

Begin by making a list of all your assignments, including their due dates and estimated time commitment. This allows you to have a clear understanding of how much work needs to be accomplished each week. Don’t forget to consider long-term projects and upcoming exams during this assessment.

2. Prioritize your tasks:

Once you have your complete list, prioritize tasks based on their deadline and overall importance. A prioritized list will help you manage your time efficiently, as you will know which tasks require more attention and which can be handled later.

3. Set realistic goals:

Consider the amount of work you can handle each day while still leaving enough time for extracurricular activities and relaxation. Setting realistic daily goals will prevent burnout and keep you motivated throughout the week.

4. Create a timetable:

Design a specific timetable for handling your homework, taking into consideration factors such as school hours, after-school activities, family commitments, and leisure time. Allocate time slots for each subject or task according to their priority level.

5. Break down larger tasks:

For sizable assignments or projects, divide them into smaller tasks that can be completed within shorter timeframes. This will make daunting projects more manageable and allow for steady progress during the week.

6. Stick to the schedule:

While creating a homework schedule is important, sticking to it strictly is just as crucial. Develop discipline by resisting distractions during your allocated study times and adhering to your timetable diligently.

7. Review your schedule regularly:

As new assignments are added or existing tasks are completed, revise your schedule accordingly. This will help you remain up to date with your workload and allow for adjustments in case of any unforeseen changes.

8. Find a study environment that works for you:

Identify a comfortable, quiet, and well-lit space that encourages productivity. Ensure you have all necessary resources such as textbooks, stationery, and electronic devices at hand to minimize distractions.

9. Seek assistance when needed:

If you find it challenging to keep up with your homework or have difficulty understanding certain concepts, don’t hesitate to seek help from teachers, classmates, or even tutors.

10. Reward yourself:

Celebrate small wins by treating yourself after completing tasks or reaching milestones in your schedule. This could be as simple as enjoying a snack break or watching an episode of your favorite TV show.

In conclusion, a well-planned homework schedule is essential for managing academic responsibilities effectively while ensuring a balanced lifestyle. By implementing these steps and adapting them to suit your unique needs, you’ll find it easier to stay on track with schoolwork and enjoy a smoother academic journey.

How to Build a Generator: 8 Steps

How to install skylights.

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author.

How to Draw a Self Portrait

How to Take Care of Black Girls’ Hair

How to Take a Sitz Bath: 14 Steps

How to Care for Wavy Hair: 13 Steps

How to Clean Beach Sand: 12 Steps

4 Ways to Use a GPS

Grab our ✨ FREE ✨ Decluttering Quick Start Guide and start clearing your clutter TODAY!

Free Printable Weekly Student Planner

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Looking for a simple and free student planner? This free printable weekly kids planner can be customized, whether it’s to write down a weekly schedule, homework, or classroom assignments. It’s perfect for planning virtual, homeschool, or in-person learning!

Check out other popular Back To School posts, like these must-haves for setting up a home learning space for your child , a focus roller to help your child concentrate , and these DIY Stress Balls.

When life threw everyone a curveball last spring and schools shut down, we were flustered but I felt an incredible need to organize as much as I could (especially with everything else totally outside of my control.) My daughter is the same way, she loves a good checklist and thrives on following schedules. While the teachers were trying as hard as they could, we knew we needed a way to keep track of what was due, and when.

That’s when I created this printable student weekly planner to organize assignments. It can also be used to write down that week’s schedule, homework, and even habit tracking. It really came in handy to organize everything during a stressful time!

It’s great for all ages– for younger kids, you can draw icons to represent what you’re doing when. Older kids can fill it in themselves. Heck, it’s versatile enough that awesome adults like you can use it to plan meals, write down virtual learning schedules, or plan your homeschooling lessons!

(I even added a chore block to my kids’ schedule… they’re pitching in around the house and writing down one big chore a day was helpful for all of us.)

How to Download the Free Printable Student Planner

How to Use the Free Printable Student Planner

• Download it to your computer and print (see instructions above.)
• Fill out the far left column with time blocks or subject areas, depending on how you’re using the planner. Writing in time blocks creates a ‘block schedule’ that shows what is happening at that time each day, and writing subject areas allows for writing down the assignments or lessons for that subject each day.
• I recommend clipping to a clipboard or protecting with a clear plastic dry erase pocket . You can then hang it on the wall using Command Strip Hooks . Another idea is to three hole punch it or place in a page protector and add it to a binder.

I hope this helps you and your family adapt to the ever changing school situation! Whether you homeschool, virtual school or go in person my goal is to make it as easy and stress free as possible with simple ideas to add systems and routines into your home life.

If you enjoyed this post, it would mean the world if you would share it!

How will you use your free printable weekly student planner?

Similar Posts

Healthy Essentials Giveaway from J&J!

How to Make Large Gallery Wall Photos {on the cheap!}

It’s Here! Get Your FREE 2020 Printable Planner!

Kids Craft Week: Easy Finger Puppets

Totful Tuesday: 10 Rainy Day Activities for Kids

Magical Harry Potter Party Ideas

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Time Management
• Schedules and Timetables

How to Make a Schedule

Last Updated: November 29, 2022 Fact Checked

Sample Schedules

Structuring time, sticking to it.

This article was co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO® . Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 454,974 times.

If you’re overwhelmed with daily tasks, a schedule is a great way to become more productive, efficient, and organized. Experiment with using a notebook, planner, or app to structure your time, and stick with the method that works best for you. Be sure to set reasonable expectations, and strike a balance between your responsibilities and free time. To stay on track, make planning your schedule part of your routine, and reward yourself whenever you cross a task off of your list.

• Tracking your routine over the course of a week will help you accurately estimate how much time you should budget for specific tasks.
• Additionally, you might find ways that you can become more productive. For example, you might have spent 10 hours playing a video game and should have spent more time studying.

• Choose a method that suits your personal preferences. If you hate dealing with paper, use an app. If writing by hand helps you stay on track, go with a pencil and pad.
• You’ll get a sense of your likes and dislikes as you use your schedule. When you find the right method, stick with it. Keep all of your tasks organized in 1 place, be it a notebook, planner, or app.

• Including the day of the week helps you keep track of activities that happen on specific days, such as music classes on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• If you’re using a blank notebook, you could use the page on the left for a chronological schedule, and write daily priorities and other notes on the right page.

• If you’re using a blank notebook or spreadsheet, it’s helpful to fill in time slots in half hour intervals on the left side of the page. Leave 2 or 3 lines between each half hour interval so you have room to jot down bullet points under a task.
• If you're using a planner or scheduling app, it probably already has time slots.

• For example, write 1 (or A) next to your most important tasks. These will be the tasks you'll write on your schedule first. Write 2 (or B) next to your middle-priority tasks, and 3 (or C) next to your low-priority items.
• When you write a task in your schedule, you could mark the priority level next to it, or just make an asterisk or exclamation point next to your top priorities.
• If you’re planning out your week , make a list of your weekly tasks. Write down your daily tasks if you’re planning a single day.

• For example, if you’re most productive in the morning, schedule high-priority projects before lunchtime. Save paper filing and deleting emails for later in the day.
• Do your best to set reasonable expectations. Don’t try to squeeze homework or a meeting with a client into 30 minutes when you know a full hour is more realistic.
• After you’ve entered the most important items, you can fill the smaller tasks, like doing laundry or going grocery shopping.

• If you have to go to a meeting, include the time, location, and who will be attending. You might also want to add bullet points on the meeting's topic.
• Keep in mind you don’t want to write an essay for each task. Just include the necessary details that will help you stay on track.

• For example, you might have to prepare an outline from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., go to class from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., have lunch at 12:30 p.m., and have a meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
• Remember to set reasonable expectations. Refer to the log you kept when you tracked your time to accurately estimate how long a task will take.

• For example, include entries such as, “Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Have dinner with Sam and Phil (finish up at work by 5:45!)” or “Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - Take Joey to the park.”

Kathi Burns, CPO®

Give yourself permission to say no. If you're feeling stretched thin and overcommitted, it's 100% okay to tell someone you can't do something! Be polite and say that even though you'd like to, you're unable to fit it into your schedule at the moment.

• If you have to drive somewhere, remember to leave an extra 10 or 15 minutes in case you run into traffic.
• Even if you don’t run late or get distracted, you can use chunks of wiggle room to take breaks, exercise, or to do some extra work.

• You might find it helpful to plan out your week on Sunday night, then make adjustments and organize daily task lists each night or morning.

• If you use an app, install it and sync your account on all the electronic devices you use. Try using a desktop or home screen widget to pin tasks to your electronic devices’ main displays.
• It’s also helpful to post a whiteboard or calendar in your work area with at-a-glance information, like key dates and weekly goals.

• Don’t panic if you don’t complete all your tasks. If something slipped through the cracks today, revise your schedule and make it tomorrow’s priority.

• In addition to small rewards for completing individual tasks, give yourself a big treat after a productive day. Take a long, soothing bath, play video games, watch a movie, or do another activity that you most enjoy.

• It’s also helpful to keep your phone in your pocket or bag instead of on your desk. It’s there if you need it, but keeping it out of sight will help keep distractions out of mind.

• For instance, it’s great to use a weekend day to get things done around the house. However, if you mow the lawn, catch up on laundry, and clean the house on Saturday, take most of Sunday to relax.
• Each evening, do your best to schedule at least 1 to 2 hours to unwind before bed. Use that time to read a relaxing book, take a bath, or listen to soothing music.

Expert Q&A

• Keep your tasks organized on 1 schedule, be it a notepad, paper planner, or app. You could lose track if you spread different tasks across multiple schedules. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
• Take advantage of small chunks of time. Instead of browsing social media for 15 minutes before an appointment, try to make progress on a daily task. You could also use the time to grab a healthy snack, stretch, or go for a brisk walk. [16] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Plan for distractions, but do your best to manage them. If someone comes into your office or you get a phone call, say, “I can only talk for a few minutes,” or “I’m happy to listen to your question, but I’ll have to get back to you with an answer a little later.” [17] X Trustworthy Source U.S. Small Business Administration U.S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/03/hours.aspx
• ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234145
• ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1042&title=time-management-10-strategies-for-better-time-management
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/time-management-skills
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/243962
• ↑ https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/PARTICIPANT_GUIDE_TIME_MANAGEMENT.pdf
• ↑ https://students.dartmouth.edu/academic-skills/learning-resources/making-schedule
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234145

About This Article

If you need to make a schedule, write down everything you need to do for a specific day in chronological order. Fill in the most important tasks first to make sure you have enough time to complete them. Include the starting and ending times for everything you have to accomplish to help you stay focused throughout the day, and add in 5-10 minute breaks between tasks so you don’t fall behind if something lasts longer than you thought. Keep reading to learn how to stick to your schedule once it’s written out! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Mar 22, 2018

Did this article help you?

Earline Ayres

Feb 17, 2018

Snowie Unicorn

Aug 9, 2021

Badar Tagar

Mar 21, 2017

Cayuush Omer

Mar 30, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

15 Checklist, Schedule, and Planner Templates for Students

Planning templates for students can help keep track of classes and homework, making preparations for the school year a breeze.

Templates are extremely useful for business documents, but for students they can be lifesavers.

You have enough to think about during the school year, so using a template can save a ton of time. Put your mind on your classes and use these helpful checklist and planning templates for the rest.

1. Homework Checklist

For a plain and simple homework checklist, this template from TeacherVision is great for younger students, but can work for any age. Each subject is in its own spot with days of the week and check boxes to mark off as you complete assignments.

2. Printable Homework Planner

This next homework planner from TidyForm lets you easily plan your assignments for each day of the week and even the weekend. Instead of listing out the subjects, you can enter them yourself for the day and include details with due dates for each.

Note: you will need a PDF editor to make changes to the template on your computer.

3. Homework Schedule

Another planner from TidyForm breaks down your days into time blocks. Each hour slot is along the left side of the sheet with the seven days of the week across the top. This one is great for assignments, but you could use it for class schedules or work shifts to plan your entire week ahead of time.

It is a basic template, but a useful one.

4. Class Schedule and Planner

If you need a more detailed planner, this schedule is intended for classes. However, it can also be used for more. It uses time blocks like the TidyForm planner, but breaks them down into increments that you choose. Adjust the start time and interval minutes and the sheet automatically updates. You can add your classes, pop in your homework time, and add shifts for work all in one place.

5. Assignment Schedule

This template from Vertex42 is another with time blocks in 30-minute increments. And, this one has even more detail. On one side of the template, you can list out classes with assignments, dates, and times.

On the other side, you can add your class schedule or plan your homework and projects. The workbook also includes a Homeschool tab for parents homeschooling their children. Overall, it's a good dual-purpose option.

6. Multiple-Task Planner

If you are a OneNote user, check out this option from OneNoteGem. You can quickly fill out subjects and assignments for five days of the week. This is ideal for classes that have many tasks on the same day.

For example, you may need to work on a group project, research a paper, and finish an assignment in one day. The template has a good amount of room for those to-dos.

7. Student Notebook

Also, for OneNote you can download an entire student notebook template. Just scroll further down on the OneNoteGem templates page for this option.

What's nice about this template is that the notebook includes sections for planners, five classes, and research along with note-taking tips.

8. Class Schedule

For a neat and flexible class schedule template, this one is available for Excel, OpenOffice, and Google Sheets. It is basic with time slots broken into 15-minute increments on one tab and 30-minute increments on another. Plus, it includes seven days of the week, unlike many others. For college students, this is a terrific class schedule template.

9. Student Planner

With a student planner that lists your subjects by week, you can stay on track every single day. Vertex42 has two templates to pick from that offer different layouts.

One option has the subjects down the left side with days of the week across the top. The other template is the reverse of that. Each has spots for to-dos and notes and is available for either Excel or as a PDF.

10. All-in-One Schedule and Budget

For an all-in-one workbook for college, this Excel template has sheets for classes per term, course credits, a college budget, and textbooks. You can keep everything in one place. You can also track your overall progress and your current GPA.

11. Student Calendar

Another planner from Microsoft Office is this 12-month student calendar. There is a tab for each month, spots for a weekly schedule, and a section for assignments. The year cell is editable making it reusable for your entire college career.

This template makes planning study time and homework a breeze.

12. Dorm Room Checklist

If you are heading to a dorm room for college, there is no better way to make sure you have everything than with this checklist template. You can add box numbers for packing and checks when you pack the items.

The template gives you sections such as kitchen supplies, electronics, computer equipment, safety items, and more.

13. Back to School Checklist

For parents with kids in elementary or middle school, this checklist is perfect for back-to-school time. One column has tasks to take care of like verifying immunizations and obtaining a school supply list. The second column has items to purchase from clothes and a backpack to school supplies.

If you have a youngster getting ready for a new school year, this is the template for you.

14. College Budget

When you need to keep an eye on your college budget, this template is just for it. The top section is for your funding and income with the bottom for your expenses. The most common types of college-related items are included, making this a convenient template for college students.

15. Monthly College Budget

This monthly budget tracker from Microsoft Office gives you a simple way to view your cash flow. You can glance at the pie charts at the top to get an overview of your income and expenses by month. Change the values below to add your items and the charts change automatically.

It's one simple sheet with everything you need to budget each month.

Time for Class!

For classes, assignments, budgeting, supplies, course credits, and all that goes with these things, make sure you are prepared when the bell rings or classroom door closes. Now that you have these 15 awesome template options, you are on your way to starting the school year off right.

You might also check out these essential Windows apps for students to help with school.

Image Credits: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Homework Schedule Templates

• July 22, 2017
• By Admin: admin
• Comments: Comments off

Homework Schedule can be very critical a new college or high school student as he has a lot to do in less time. Hence achieving maximum productivity is the key to success for student students. He has plan and executive everything wisely such as assignments, research and attending class lectures. You can benefit from this process whether you are a student of a traditional college or indulge in online courses. It is strongly recommended that you should follow some guidelines fabricated by stalwarts of this arena for your improvement and maximum productivity.

The most important factor in this regard is the preparation of a suitable and workable schedule. Because time management is crucial skill that can go a long way to make your life successful. Parents can also consider it essential to guide and help their children for their career organization. If you desire to get through, you have to create a schedule that should allow sufficient time for completing homework and studies within stipulated period without any hurdle.

Homework Schedule Format Guidelines

You have to set a routine in order to get best results of your studies without feeling uneasiness. The sense of uneasiness blocks the process of learning that is very harmful for you in the long run. When you get familiar with an expected routine you will feel less amount of burden on your shoulders. The experts suggest that you should complete your assignments setting aside all blocks that may come in your way. When you succeed to accomplish your most important work, you will feel relaxed.

You should avoid wasting your precious time in social activities, exercise and other hobbies. Your focus must remain on your sole purpose that will bring prosperity in your future life. In case of failure in this assignment, you will get nothing. It does not mean that you should set aside your activities. You have to keep a balance between your studies and other activities in order to be successful in your life.

You can utilize a college counselor when you feel some difficulty regarding the matters of education. They may be consulted in case you are getting fail or your work is out of your capacity. Both online and campus colleges recruit these guidance counselors to keep students in the right track at the time of any problem come in their way.

The experts have advised students following such guidelines to bring themselves out of the stress for getting better education. It has also been observed that dropout rate for online college students is increasing with a ratio of one to five that is creating an alarming situation. All this happen due to conflict of schedules for those people who have taken both work and study simultaneously. In such circumstances the need of avoiding burnout is necessary in order to succeed in your aim. It is therefore important for you to work out a schedule before stepping into any type of academic course so that you may get according to your goodwill.

Free Homework Schedule Templates

An effective planning for your Homework is unavoidable in order to achieve high grades in your studies. Since now a days, it is quite easy to waste time so better to use some tool like MS Excel to track your time and schedule your homework activities accordingly.

Here is preview of this Homework Schedule Template created using MS Excel,

Download link for Homework Schedule Template.

Here is preview of this Homework Schedule Template in MS Word format.

Yet another good looking Homework Schedule Template using MS Word to easily customize and print as per your requirements.

Here is preview of this Homework Schedule Template in MS Word Format.

Download link for template.

Download link for Schedule Template.

Download link for template.

Here is preview of this Homework Schedule Template created using MS Word.

• Free Homework Schedule
• Homework Schedule Example
• Homework Schedule Excel Template
• Homework Schedule Format
• Sample Homework Schedule
• sample schedule
• schedule example
• Schedule Format

Check out our Easy Learn to Draw lessons →

Home › Blog › Elementary Age Activities for Kids › Free Printable Weekly Homework Calendar to Keep Kids Organized

Free Printable Weekly Homework Calendar to Keep Kids Organized

By Monica S

Published Mar 02, 2023

Updated Oct 12, 2023

This homework calendar kids can download and print is great for keeping up with homework assignments. Whether you’re in elementary school, middle school, high school or beyond, organization is the key to success! Never forget about upcoming assignments again with this simple homework schedule system that works both at home and in the classroom.

Free Printable Homework Calendar for Kids

Keeping kids homework organized is often a challenge which is why we have created this free printable homework calendar to help keep track of what needs to be done by when. Click green button to download and print the homework calendar now:

Help your kids remember and organize their homework with this weekly homework calendar while establishing good study skills by printing one for each class or series of classes.

Printable Homework Calendar for Kids

This weekly homework calendar printable set includes two versions: a full color template and a black and white template – and yes, both are free. Both are perfect for the 2024 school year.

1. Green and White My School Week Homework Calendar

The colored version of this homework calendar is perfect for keeping track of all your work. You have a schedule space for each day and a homework assignment area with subject, assignment, and due date, with a check box.

2. Black and White School Weekly Homework Calendar

Don’t have a colored printer? That’s fine, we have a black and white weekly school homework calendar. We have a schedule area from Monday to Friday. We also have a section with homework assignments, subject, and due date, as well as a check box.

Download & Print Calendar Planning pdf File Here

Printable weekly homework calendar for kids.

Your kids are going to love how easy it is to plan their school’s workload with this calendar – and YOU are going to love how independent they’ll become once they get the hang of it.

Our free printable planning sheet will allow your kids to write their everyday activities for the entire week.

Plan Homework with Printable Schedule

On the first block, write down each day’s subjects, and on the bottom block, write specific assignments with their due date – you can say goodbye to forgotten assignments!

Don’t forget to check it off with a checkmark when they’re done, as this will give them a sense of accomplishment.

Using The Homework Calendar

A calendar is a great way to help school students keep on track. Whether it is a regular class like reading, science, or even something like physical education, this calendar is a must have for your child’s study life.

You can print as many as you want off. So you can have homework reminders in your binders, room, or fridge. This will keep your homework schedule running smoothly and help with time management skills. There is a spot for each day of the week you’re at school.

Now you can remember important things for upcoming classes like final exams and due dates. You can also write office hours for teachers you need to talk to or professors. Reminders to bring stuff to the school nurse. This homework schedule has room for everything!

More Homework & Organization Help from Kids Activities Blog

• Printable calendars for 2023 .
• Here are some helpful tips for getting through homework without stress {or tears!}
• These blue light glasses protect your kids’ eyes while doing homework online
• Help your kids do their homework … without doing it yourself!
• Have you ever wondered how much homework per grade ?
• Summer homework for kids …sigh!
• Check out the genius of the family organization station !
• Give your kids some stability with this free printable calendar for kids 2023 !

How is your child using the printable homework calendar? Has it helped keep the kids organized when it comes to homework at home?

Elementary Age Activities for Kids Learning Activities Organize Organizing, Cleaning & Planning

Welcome to Kids Activities!

My name is Holly Homer & I am the Dallas mom of three boys…

Holly’s Favorite Activites

You Might Also Like

Simple Cardboard Reindeer Craft

Printable Christmas Ornaments for Kids to Color & Decorate

Free Turkey Zentangle Coloring Page for Thanksgiving

Make a Handmade Gratitude Journal with Your Kids this Thanksgiving

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Keep in touch

Connect with us on your favorite social network below!

Explore Activities

5 Min Crafts

©2023 Kids Activities Blog. All rights reserved. Disclosure and Privacy Policy • Powered by CultivateWP .

Best Tips for Creating a Homeschool Daily Schedule

This is part five in my Plan Your Year Homeschool Planning Series. Find the other parts here:

• Creating Homeschooling Goals for Growth
• Charting Your Course of Study
• Six Homeschool Schedule Options
• How to Plan a Week and Sample Homeschool Schedules
• Get your free Plan Your Year homeschool planning pages here.

I wish I could tell you that I have the formula for the perfect homeschool day, but sadly I do not. All I know for sure is that there are no two homeschool days that are exactly alike and whatever you plan, it will often not go exactly as planned.

Yes, having a plan in place is important. If we don’t, the overwhelming nature of the task before us will paralyze us . So here are my 8 best tips for creating a daily plan that inspires you to get things done.

1. Create a routine, not a schedule

So very few of us are going to practically be able to follow a schedule. For most, time slots on a chart are only going to frustrate us as life happens and we are constantly thrown off that schedule. So instead of a hard and fast block that says you will start math at 8:00 and then do reading at 8:45 and spelling at 9:10, shoot for beginning your first work block sometime between 8 and 8:30 and then have one thing follow another until you are done.

You can read or listen to this post.

2. work in chunks.

I like to call specific chunks of time “blocks.” It is easier for me to schedule in the blocks of our day instead of individual subjects. You can see from the sample schedules in my last post, that our day has four big chunks in it.

I do not micro schedule within the blocks. While I complete the blocks in the same order every day, the order within a block often varies based on what I am doing for that subject on a given day.

For example, if both spelling and Latin require a large amount of writing for that day, then I will put the reading lesson between them to break them up. If I am using letter tiles in both reading and spelling, then I typically don’t do them back-to-back — just to separate the repetition. The next day, the order might be different.

So while my blocks have a certain order — the subjects within the blocks do not. I always try to alternate more taxing tasks with lighter ones to give our brains a break.

3. Leave margin

You are never going to squeeze five hours of schoolwork into a five hour block. Something is going to happen — the washing machine will flood, the dog will escape over the fence, someone will decide this is a great day to have a stage-four math meltdown. You will most likely not get it done, and you will end up frustrated. Schedule 3.5 hours of school work into a five hour block. Trust me and you will thank me later.

4. Schedule the siblings

Ironically, the most important part of your schedule is probably where there is no school at all. When sitting to plan your routine, the infant to preschool set should probably be considered first, as this will help to create a routine that will run smoothly. Some ideas:

• What can you do while nursing? If baby wants to eat every morning at 8:00, then that is a great time to read aloud to the other kids. Since we know reading aloud is important up until your older children leave the home, gather everyone together and enjoy this time. Little ones can play quietly at your feet and everyone can find something to do with their hands. If you can’t read and nurse at the same time due to a wiggly older baby then pop in an audiobook or allow an older sibling to read. In fact, nursing time is also a great time for mom to be read to, so schedule time for reading aloud for emerging readers during nursing time as well. Older children armed with memory work binders could also lead family recitation time during this period as well.
• You can also make toddler care and entertainment part of the bigger kids’ school time. While you work with one, the other’s required task can be to play with little brother or sister and see to their needs for an allotted amount of time.
• Put preschoolers first. Often a little one-on-one attention from mom goes a long way towards the little one going off to play alone happily for a while. Schedule in story time and a fun activity for your twos, threes, and fours before you get started with the bigger kids.
• Utilize the nap time. School does not have to start early in the morning. If you have two or three young kids and one or more of them still take a long afternoon nap, then don’t start school until the little ones go down. School can go from 1-3 and can be done peacefully and with less frustration. Schedule the messiest, hardest, or most mom-consuming subjects for nap time.

5. Don’t try to do every subject every day

I taught language arts for a while during my teaching career. Language arts is the catch-all name for about five different subjects — spelling, writing, grammar, literature/reading instruction, and handwriting. I did not try to do all of these subjects every single class period. In fact, I didn’t even try to do all of them in a given week. So feel free to alternate days or choose an alternative scheduling method like blocks or looping to fit in all of your subjects. Everything needs to be done regularly — not daily.

6. Hang priorities on hooks

Want to be sure something gets done each day? Then hang it on one of the natural hooks of your day. A natural hook is a meal (we all eat) or naptime or a nursing session. Use these set times of things you know you will be doing as hooks for important parts of your schedule — prayer, reading aloud, memory work, art. Move right from your hook into your subject and soon it will become a habit.

7. Follow your natural inclinations

If your family does not jump out of bed running in the morning, then resist scheduling an early start to your day. Enjoy the flexibility of homeschooling and work at your times of peak productivity. This also means taking into consideration your children’s natural schedule and the fact that they have variations (which may not match yours!) as well. Got one early riser? Schedule his or her independent work first. Let the others get up right before group time and then do their independent work after. Homeschooling is beautiful because we don’t all have to move lockstep towards the finish line. Embrace it!

8. Draft a plan

Use the Daily Plan form from the free Plan Your Year Homeschool Planner to draft out your days. I strongly suggest sitting down with this form and a pencil for the first draft. Mine always has a lot of erasing as I figure things out.

Keeping the principles above in mind, first decide on the blocks for your day. Whatever you decide to call them is fine. My “math” block actually includes math and handwriting, but that is too much of a mouthful. You could even name something “breakfast block” or “lunch block.”

Once you have your blocks in place, start filling them with subjects. Think about what naturally goes together for your family. My kids do math and handwriting while I finish up my morning chores. Then we move to morning time and then break again for table work (all other written subjects).

On a final note, sometimes it helps to live with your plan a while before finalizing it. Get it good enough, live with it a week or two when you begin, and then finally make adjustments as needed.

• Latest Posts

• A No-Guilt Approach to Christmas School - November 17, 2023
• Revolutionize Your Homeschool Routine: Unlocking the Potential of Seasonal Homeschooling - November 3, 2023
• Introducing the Wonder World Podcast - October 20, 2023

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

The Work at Home Wife

Helping you work at home and make money online

7 Tips for Creating a Work-From-Home Schedule That Works

By Angie Nelson

Last Updated May 7, 2021 . Disclosure: We may receive compensation if you sign up for or purchase products linked below. Details on offers may change, and you should confirm them with the company prior to taking action.

Is your work-at-home life a struggle between putting in the work and achieving the life of your dreams? I’m here to help with 7 tips on how to create a work-from-home schedule that works for you.

Is your work-at-home life a struggle between putting in the work and achieving the life of your dreams? You are absolutely not alone. Transitioning into a work-from-home career is a vista of exciting new opportunities – and more distraction than you know what to do with. Without someone else putting in the time to make your schedule for you, how the heck do you get anything done?

This period of adjustment can feel scary, but I’m here to help with 7 tips on how to create a work-from-home schedule that works for you.

1. Choose Your System

One of the first steps in making your schedule work for you – so it’s not you working for your schedule – is to select an organizational system that suits you. It’s got to be something that keeps you focused and that you’ll actually use. Your system doesn’t need to be fancy; it doesn’t even need to be high-tech. It simply must be an effective tool to manage your time.

If you like to go old school, grab a classic agenda from your nearest office store: get one with at least a two-page spread for each day or week so you can pencil in all your commitments and goals.

Panda Planner is a really popular option and may be great for those of you who need a little more accountability and focus. You have the opportunity each day and week to review and prioritize your goals.

If a desk calendar keeping you on task works for you – and you have the desk space for it – do that. If you love washi tape and a rainbow of colors, give bullet journaling a go (but don’t let it become a colorful distraction from actually getting stuff done).

For you tech-lovers, if your brain lives in your smartphone, set up a productivity app – Todoist is a great one for arranging your long-term goals and daily activities easily and quickly. You can even trick out your Google Calendar with appointments and deadlines if it works better for you.

Don’t be afraid to try different types of systems until you find the one that makes your days sing in tune and on time. I use both a paper planner from Erin Condren to keep track of my daily and weekly tasks and Todoist to remind me of recurring tasks and things I may think of while away from my desk.

2. Clarify Your Goals

This is the other basic building block of a schedule that works: you must understand what your goals are before you can choose the best path for accomplishing them. Decide on your major goal – is it to work fewer hours per week? Or to use your work to fund travel? Do you want to create a blog that’s a thought leader in your chosen subject? Maybe you want to build your own VA business or become a successful freelance writer.

Whatever you want to accomplish, define it – and then you’ll know what the work is. You’ll know what you have to do on a monthly, weekly, down to daily basis. And you’ll be able to build a to-do list that you can distribute across your calendar.

If you don’t define your goals, you won’t know where you’re going – and you’ll be more likely to chase work-from-home schemes that don’t work, or waste your time with shiny new tools or ideas that don’t work for you. Having a clearly-defined path will also help you recognize how long to spend on waiting for things to gain traction before you cut your losses and try something new.

3. Prioritize Realistically

Here’s the thing: we expect too much of ourselves. Pretty much all the time. We sit down to make our to-do lists with the best of intentions, and then we pack way too much onto our future selves’ shoulders. This sort of idealistic planning is responsible for most of our failed New Year’s resolutions – and also much of our feelings of defeat and frustration. We set ourselves up to fail by expecting too much.

Instead, set yourself up to succeed with the 1-3-5 rule. The founder of The Muse , Alex Cavoulacos, put it this way : “On any given day, assume that you can only accomplish one big thing, three medium things, and five small things.” It’s a pretty handy rule of thumb to keep you focused and knocking out what needs to be done in a reasonable time frame. Give it a try!

Here’s another great tip: try and get the big thing out of the way at the beginning of your day. When you tackle your biggest project at your freshest, you guarantee you’re bringing your best self to the table – and make everything else you need to do that day seem a breeze by comparison. You just set your tasks up and watch them fall in the face of your momentum.

4. Custom Build

When you’re working from home – or living the life of the digital nomad – you should embrace the fact that you’re not tied to the typical 9-to-5 grind. Your office is basically wherever you are and your office hours are whenever you choose – within reason. It’s true that you still do need to define certain time frames as your work hours, and make them consistent so that clients and business partners know when to reach you. Beyond that, however, building your schedule is all about building around your life and what you want to do.

If you’re a night owl, work all night! (You just might want to set up one day a week for meeting with clients in the daylight.) If you have school-aged children, work during the few hours between getting the kids off to school, running errands, and then picking them up in the afternoon. Break for dinner and family time, then put in more time after they’re in bed.

You don’t have to have a rigid work schedule. Work when it makes sense for you, and take off whichever days you please.

5. Minimize Distraction

Part of making your schedule work for you is actually putting in the work when you’ve scheduled yourself to do it. That means minimizing distractions.

When you first start working at home , it can be easy to waste the hours moving from one distraction to the other. There’s TV at home, or family members. There’s a quick coffee break waiting to turn into wasting 3 hours on social media. How do you guard against these distractions when there’s not the fear of a supervisor watching over your shoulder?

Take steps to eliminate common distractions. Tell your family that you’re unavailable for certain spans of time each day, and have a set workspace with a door you can close. Put your phone in airplane mode or on do not disturb. (On some devices, you can program Do Not Disturb to notify you if calls or texts from certain numbers come in, so you won’t miss emergencies.) Use computer apps that block you from time-wasting websites – yes, like Twitter and Pinterest and Facebook – until after a certain time.

Do whatever you need to do to stay on task.

6. Allow Flexibility

It’s important to custom-build your schedule and then to stick with it, but flexibility should be part of your planning, too. Things are always going to come up – the best-laid plans of mice and men and all that – especially if you have kids at home. I know my single and/or stay-at-home moms know exactly what I’m talking about.

Get ahead of the game by creating a schedule that can flex when necessary. You can do this a couple of different ways. Try giving yourself plenty of lead time on any given project so you’re not in trouble if you have to take a day off. You could also have some floating work time in your schedule, where you’ll slot in an hour or two wherever makes sense. That way, if your partner can’t drive the kids to their after-school lessons one day or if one of your babies gets sick, you can afford the time to adapt and regroup with your work later.

7. Try New Things

If your scheduling system is not working for you, toss it and try something else. Never be afraid to say goodbye to that pretty bullet journal or to not use all of that free trial on some shiny new productivity app. The most important thing is finding what works for you, and not forcing yourself into using a system that you’ll never keep up with. That’s just a waste of your time, and you know the value of your time. Spend it chasing the life you dream of and deserve.

Feeling more in control already? That’s what I like to hear! Get back to work and get stuff done.

About Angie Nelson

Angie Nelson began working from home in 2007 when she took her future into her own hands and found a way to escape the corporate cubicle farm. Today she balances several successful online ventures and loves to share her passion for home business with others.

Angie Nelson began working from home in 2007 when she figured out how to take her future into her own hands and escape the corporate cubicle farm. Angie’s goal is sharing her passion for home business, personal finance, telecommuting, and entrepreneurship, and her work has been featured on Recruiter, FlexJobs and Business News Daily.

Artful Homemaking

practical help and encouragement for homemakers

February 4, 2020 by Joy Kincaid 20 Comments

A Homemaker’s Daily Schedule

Every homemaker’s daily schedule  will look a bit different, but sometimes it helps to see how someone else structures their day. Here’s a peek into my current personal schedule.

When people find out that I’m a homemaker, they often want to know what my day looks like. I think sometimes they’re wondering what exactly homemakers do all day!

Does being a homemaker mean I have unlimited amounts of free time? Do homemakers just sit around eating bonbons and feeling bored?

Hardly! Homemaking never gets boring!

I’ve had many jobs in my life, but being a homemaker has been the most challenging as well as the most rewarding career ever.

One thing I’ve learned is that having an orderly home doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of planning and intentionality. A  schedule helps me with that.

For me, it helps to have a daily schedule to follow. This helps me to be intentional with my days rather than just drifting through life.

And just because I advocate the use of a schedule or routine, that doesn’t mean that I follow my schedule perfectly. I never do. Things come up, kids get sick, life happens.

But I still like to have a basic framework for my days to help me get closer to accomplishing my goals.

A schedule also eliminates lots of decision fatigue. If you already have a basic plan for the day, you don’t have to wonder what you should do first thing in the morning. You’ve already got that planned out.

My Current Schedule

Recently, I updated my schedule for the new year. My hope is to make my days as productive and intentional as possible.

And, I hope to make some progress on my goals for this year.

RELATED: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Homemakers

My goals include being an intentional mom (spending one-on-one time with the kids), as well as personal and home goals.

As a homeschool mom, you’ll see our homeschool time reflected on the schedule. If you don’t have kids at home during the day, you could have more homemaking, cleaning, and project time scheduled in during that time.

There’s also time for exercise, cleaning tasks, cooking, and one-one-one time.

Here’s a basic outline of my current schedule:

• 6:00-9:30 Morning Routine (my current morning routine includes Bible and prayer time, reading time, exercise, showering, and morning chores)
• 9:30-1:30 Homeschool Learning Time with kids
• 1:30-2:00 Lunch
• 2:00-4:00 Projects (decluttering and organizing, creative projects, baking, or online work)
• 4:00-5:00 One-on-One Time with kids
• 5:00 Start Dinner
• 6:30 Dinner
• 7:30 Evening Routine
• 11:00 In Bed

About the Schedule

You’ll notice that my morning routine takes several hours at the beginning of my day. During this time, I’m reading, praying, exercising, taking a shower and getting dressed, and eating breakfast.

I also have time for working on a few cleaning tasks early in the morning. In addition to making the bed and straightening the master bedroom, I also have a few cleaning jobs to work on, based on what day of the week it is.

Now that my kids are older, this morning routine works for me. Back when I had only younger children, I couldn’t have had such a long morning routine like this.

That’s why I’m continuously adjusting my schedule. As our life seasons change, the schedule and routines change with it.

While I’m doing my morning routine, my kids who are still at home have their own reading and prayer time. Then they make their breakfast, take care of their breakfast dishes, and start on their independent school work.

The time slot designated for “projects,” is the time for working on DIY projects , big cooking or cleaning projects, sewing or crafting, and online work.

Our evening routine includes things like cleaning up from dinner, family devotions, and other family activities.

My husband works in the evening, so we carry on without him until a couple hours before bedtime. Then he stops work and reads aloud to the younger kids before bed.

Weekend Schedule

The schedule above is for Monday through Friday. Our Saturdays look a bit different. My husband and I both work Saturday mornings, and we may do grocery shopping or another family project later in the day.

We have a rest/family day ( and do a device fast ) on Sundays.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure  here .

My Homemaking Planner

I like to transfer my schedule into my daily planner ( this is the planner I’ve been using for the past four years).

I feel like it’s the best planner for homemakers, because it also includes pages for goal setting and budgeting. There’s also a place to list meals for each day. Read my review of this planner here.

How to Make a Schedule

Now that we’ve talked about some of the ways a homemaker’s daily schedule can be beneficial, you might be wondering how to make one that actually works!

Here’s my simple process for How to Make a Schedule.

For some homemakers, it works better to focus on a simple daily routine, rather than a rigid schedule.

I put times on my schedule just to use as a guideline, but we often don’t follow it exactly.

One thing I always keep in mind is that the schedule is just a tool to help us to be more productive. It’s not my master.

If things don’t go according to plan, due to sickness or other factors beyond my control, that’s okay. I just do what I can and remain peaceful, knowing I can try to go back to the schedule later.

When Schedules Don’t Work

There have been seasons where a schedule didn’t work for me at all. This was usually a season with a newborn, or during all-day-and-night pregnancy sickness , or chronic illness.

Whatever the reason, sometimes it just doesn’t work to have a schedule.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

One way to maintain a semblance of order and still feel like you’re accomplishing something  during these difficult days, is to make a daily list.

The Daily List Schedule

Here’s what I do during those times when a schedule (or even a routine) just won’t work.

I get a small, cheap spiral notebook from the dollar store ( like this one ).

Before bed each night, I write down everything I need to get done. Everything from getting dressed, to making and eating breakfast, to putting a load of laundry in the washer.

After I have my list down, of everything I want/need to get done the next day, I highlight the most important things.

The next day, regardless of the time, I just work through my list. For the most part, I don’t worry about what time it is (unless the task is something time-sensitive, like an appointment or something).

I love being able to check the tasks off the list as I go. I can see that I’m getting things done, even if they’re just basic things necessary to survival, like feeding and clothing the kids and doing laundry!

If times are really stressful, I like to put something enjoyable on the list too, like having a simple tea party with the kids or reading a few seasonal picture books aloud.

Planning like this probably won’t be as productive as using a more structured schedule, but you’ll eliminate the feeling that life is out of control and you’re not getting anything done!

And remember, it’s just for a season. One day, things will probably settle down and be more predictable (or maybe not, and that’s okay too!).

Creating Your Own Homemaker’s Daily Schedule

I hope this post has given you some ideas for creating your own homemaking daily schedule or routine.

The important thing is that your schedule serves you and your family.

Read This Next:

How to Make a Schedule That Actually Works

Best Planner for Homemakers

Pin This Post:

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure  here . Sharing  here .

Like this post?

Sign up below to receive tutorials, freebies, recipes, and updates delivered directly to your inbox!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

February 16, 2021 at 6:59 pm

I’m in the newborn season again and though I know it’s fine not to get “anything” done right now it’s good to read that you also allow yourself not to get “anything” done in certain seasons. Thanks for writing!

February 16, 2021 at 10:44 pm

So glad it was encouraging! Definitely enjoy those newborn days—so precious and fleeting!

February 29, 2020 at 11:34 pm

Thank you for the encouragement to go back to a schedule for homemaking. I used to be so good with that until after my husband was hurt (soon after baby #3 was born). Then the schedule was focused on doctor appointments and business items. Several years later, I’m still just focused on the appointments and the business items. The home is getting less attention than it needs. Thank you so much for the ideas and suggestions. I’ve bookmarked this for future reference. ~Adrienne from Gluten Free Preppers and a member of the Blogger’s Pit Stop Crew

March 2, 2020 at 6:21 pm

So glad you stopped by, Adrienne! Oh, I know how hard that is, when your life is focused on doctor appointments and you’re living in survival mode. We had a similar experience the past few years, and keeping up with homemaking things felt impossible during that time.

February 15, 2020 at 6:24 pm

Great schedule, and a help for busy homeschool moms, Joy! So good to see you at Tuesday Turn About… hope we get to see you each week! Pinned!

February 17, 2020 at 8:06 pm

Thank you, Julie!

February 14, 2020 at 11:18 am

Love your organizing ideas. Found your link on Katherine’s Corner TFT Party. Pinning this to go over again. And probably again…

Thank you! So glad you stopped by, Dorothy!

February 13, 2020 at 9:48 am

This is a great schedule. Having a framework for your days is so very helpful!

February 13, 2020 at 7:51 pm

Thanks Pam!

February 6, 2020 at 11:08 am

Thanks for sharing! I am a list maker and doing a block type schedule like that would be very beneficial. As an empty nester now, with more time, I find that I am busier. lol. I am highly motivated and don’t usually sit still and tend to do more “administrative” things around the house. And although my house is always picked up and neat, if you were to open my kitchen cupboards and closets, not so much. If I were to set aside intentional times maybe during the month to do those types of things, they would get done. lol.

Thanks for the inspiration.

February 6, 2020 at 6:06 pm

So glad it was helpful, Karen! Isn’t it amazing how life just keeps getting busier? I’ve found the same thing, that I need to set aside regular times for all the different cleaning/organizing/decluttering tasks. Thanks for stopping by!

October 18, 2019 at 7:06 pm

That was a great article and I loved reading it. I have tried different home routines and nothing seems to help me. It’s just my husband and myself with two cats in my home. Any advice. Thank you.

October 19, 2019 at 12:27 am

Thank you, Marie! Sometimes it seems like it takes a lot of trial and error to find what works well. I regularly have to make adjustments to my homemaking schedule as life and circumstances change. I love the advice in this book for homemaking inspiration.

June 23, 2018 at 6:52 am

I love looking at other people’s schedule. Maybe it’s a little weird. Lol! I’m totally a schedule and plan person. It helps keep me sane. Thank you for sharing with us at #LiveLifeWell.

June 23, 2018 at 3:08 pm

I’m the same way!

June 22, 2018 at 5:31 pm

We too work a bit on schoolwork year round. I don’t have a written schedule but our days do seem to follow a natural pattern that is very much like yours. Pinned.

Year round school seems to make a lot of sense in many cases. Glad to hear it’s working for you too!

June 20, 2018 at 6:21 am

Sounds like a lovely and very productive day! This was really helpful to read. I’m temporarily home with my 2 year old and finding a schedule that works for us has been a bit of a challenge.

June 20, 2018 at 3:33 pm

So glad it was helpful, Ashley!

Artful Homemaking is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Creative inspiration delivered to your inbox!

I love it when you share! Please keep in mind that all images and text on this site are property of Artful Homemaking. You may use one photo provided that a link back to my original post is included. Please do not remove any watermarks, crop, or edit any of my images without first obtaining written permission from me. Please do not replicate or copy any content from Artful Homemaking without written permission from me. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated! Thank you!

One Homely House

Simple Living, Recipes, and DIY

A Flexible but Effective Daily Schedule for Homemakers

Leave a Comment

What does a homemaker do all day, anyway?

Have you ever been asked this question, and not known what to reply? Or maybe you’re not even sure what you’re supposed to be doing all day as a homemaker!

Homemaking doesn’t come with a job description, so it’s up to you and me to create one. As homemakers, we run our households. We make up the rules about how our days will flow. We make priorities for our time, and work toward goals. We are responsible for keeping our families fed and clothed, our houses ship-shape, and our homes peaceful, life-giving havens.

This is beginning to sound like a tall order, isn’t it? How does one woman do all of these things?

Let me tell you a secret: it will never be “done,” and never “perfect.”

That’s the nature of keeping a home. But that’s also part of its beauty: we get to start fresh every day, even if the previous day was a miserable failure.

How can I be a productive homemaker?

This is a question we all ask ourselves at some time or another. Some days, it feels like I don’t get anything done besides cooking supper.

While we can’t completely avoid the disappointments, there are some practical things we can do to ensure that most days are not failures.

In general, this means setting up some kind of framework. It’s the job description and responsibilities of your position, if you like to think of it that way.

If you prefer to see homemaking as a vocation instead of an occupation, you might think of this framework as a quilting frame or embroidery hoop which holds the fabric in place while you work at different parts.

The frame is important because it allows you to see the whole piece, but focus on one small area at a time.

So what is this framework for homemaking? What kind of structure helps us to make the best use of our time every day?

I like lists, but sometimes these aren’t very effective. I find myself writing tasks on the list that I’ve already accomplished, just so I can check them off! Or the list gets too long, and I feel behind before the day is fairly started!

Enter the daily schedule. It’s flexible enough to meet each day’s individual needs, yet structured enough to help you accomplish the things you need to do on a daily or weekly basis.

Benefits of a daily schedule

What makes a daily schedule so helpful for homemakers?

Hint: it’s not just about getting the maximum amount done each day, though schedules do help you to be more productive!

Writing tasks down gets them out of your head.

This means you won’t be constantly trying to remember everything you need to do!

If you forget, you can just look at the schedule. Oftentimes, though, I don’t even have to look at the schedule once I’ve written it out. Somehow, putting things on paper helps me remember them better.

It also makes me less stressed. I hate the feeling that I’m forgetting something, and I definitely don’t want to go through that every day. Creating a schedule gives me more peace of mind.

It helps you to maximize productivity during specific parts of the day.

Perhaps you’re a morning person, and you can push through lots of tasks before lunchtime — if you don’t get distracted by a magazine or your phone. Or you’re a night owl, and move slowly in the morning no matter how long your to-do list is.

Maybe you have young children, and can’t seem to focus on tasks that require lots of brain power unless the kids are sleeping. Naptime is a precious sliver of quiet in your day.

Having a schedule helps you to see which times of day are your best times for getting housework done, or focusing on something that requires maximum attention.

Making a schedule allows you to choose how your day will flow.

Do you find yourself always rushing to get the house clean and supper ready at a certain time? What if you could plan your day better, so that supper preparations and tidying up wouldn’t be so hurried all the time?

Making a schedule allows you to divide up your day into manageable chunks of time, so ideally you never have to rush about frantically. (I do say “ideally,” because we all know that those days happen!)

More than just spreading out the tasks, a schedule helps you to set a flow for the day. Some activities make sense at certain times, like working on a project during naptime, or cooking supper at 5:00 pm.

But if you don’t sit down and plan out how you want your day to go, it probably won’t be very organized. I have found that my most peaceful days are those when I know what I need to accomplish and how much time each task should take.

I know this sounds like you’re working steadily all day long, but that’s not the case. Making a schedule allows you to schedule in leisure time, too. You can pencil in an hour for a walk in the middle of the day, if you like, or teatime with a friend.

Writing it down actually allows me to enjoy my leisure time more, because I don’t feel guilty about not working constantly. If my house is a mess and I have a bunch of chores to do, I’m not going to really relax and enjoy a long walk.

Types of schedules

This brings us to a discussion about different types of schedules. You may be familiar with day planners and hourly schedules, where you detail which activities should happen every hour.

Those worked well for me when I had several places to go during the day, and set appointments and deadlines. You may like that amount of structure, and thrive on an hourly schedule like this.

If you would like to see an example of an hourly schedule for a homemaker, Jayden’s daily schedule is great!

Since I became a full-time homemaker, my schedules are rarely this detailed or time-specific. For better or worse, I don’t get up at the same time every day, and my mornings can vary widely. I need a schedule that is more flexible than an hourly model.

Priority-based Schedules

The type of schedule I use is based on my priorities for the day. I pick a handful of things I need to do, such as housework and making meals.

Then I add in a few things that are good for my physical and spiritual wellbeing: walking, running, and pilates are physical activities I enjoy, while journaling, prayer, and Scripture reading are good for my spirit.

Finally, I make room for some activities I enjoy for their own sake: baking, reading, having tea, writing to a friend, or writing about homemaking…

Next, I make my schedule. My days are mostly pretty flexible, but there are some set times (meals and naptime/bedtime) that do not change. So I build my schedule around these times.

Note: The main difference between this type of schedule and an hourly schedule is that a priority-based schedule does not focus on specific time slots for each task. I find this freeing, but you may prefer to schedule your days more strictly.

My Schedule

Morning: housework.

I am a morning person, and can usually accomplish a fair amount before lunchtime. Therefore, I dedicate the time between breakfast and lunch to housework. (One day per week, this time is used for grocery shopping and running errands in town.)

Early Afternoon: Outside time

Between lunch and naptime, I do something outside with my kids. We take a walk, shovel snow, or work in the garden. Any additional time is spent reading stories.

Naptime: Quiet projects

Naptime is for working on my own projects. This is the time I can do whatever I like, my quiet time for reading or writing. I try not to waste it on the internet, but sometimes that happens, and it’s okay because that time wasn’t supposed to be spent on something really important.

Late Afternoon: Supper prep

After naps, I focus on making supper and tidying the house. My goal is to have everything fairly neat, quiet, and orderly when my husband comes home from work. If the meal won’t take long to prepare, I might have time to finish up housework left over from the morning. However, I try not to start any projects at this time of day.

Evening: Family time

After dinner is family time. I do not try to get any more housework or writing done during this time, because I know it will end in frustration. Instead, I focus on my husband and kids. We read stories, play music, and tidy up one last time before bed.

Late Evening: Wind down

After the kids are asleep is my time to tie up any loose ends from the day and prepare for the next morning.

I can’t do anything that makes noise or requires much light after the kids go to sleep, due to our close living quarters, so I don’t try to get any more housework done at night.

That’s my schedule, in fairly brief form! Please understand that this is an ideal schedule, and it certainly doesn’t happen every day! But when I do stick to it, my days are peaceful as well as productive.

Creating your own schedule

Whether you choose to make an hourly schedule or one that is priority-based, there are a few things you should take into account.

When I make up a schedule, I try to think through a typical week in my head to determine which activities need to be written down (so they actually get done), and which ones don’t need to happen every week.

If you don’t have a ‘typical week’, just think through last week. It’s something to start with, anyway.

What to include

Whichever style of schedule you choose, start by writing down mealtimes. If you’re using an hourly format, you will set an actual time for each meal: i.e., 7:00 – Breakfast time, 12:00 – Lunch time, etc.

If you are making a priority-based schedule, you don’t need to write down a specific time for meals. Just put Breakfast somewhere near the top of your paper, Lunch somewhere in the middle, and Supper near the bottom. You can always rewrite the page later if it needs to be adjusted.

After mealtimes are accounted for, make sure the housework has its place. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and all the rest of it needs to get done some time!

You may prefer to do a little bit of each task every day: fold one load of laundry, clean one room, etc. I prefer to tackle one big task or category of tasks each day. I use a weekly housekeeping schedule to keep it straight.

After housework, build in time for some activities that are good for you, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Homemaking isn’t all work, and there is room for creativity and having fun!

Morning & evening routines

You may wish to create a morning and/or evening routine in your daily schedule. Morning routines can be really helpful in starting your day out on the right foot and helping you to feel ready for the day.

I have to admit, right now my morning routine is pretty minimal. I would probably benefit from setting an alarm and getting up earlier, so my mornings can be more consistent!

Know your weaknesses and target those areas

One of the best things your daily schedule can help you do is to improve your weaknesses. However, you have to do it intentionally.

• If you know you tend to dawdle in the mornings, having a structured morning routine can help you overcome procrastination and headaches later on in the day.
• If you get distracted by your phone or computer, set specific limits on how much time you are allowed to spend on them each day.
• If you can spend hours perusing cookbooks or Pinterest while you plan meals, set a time limit for that as well. (Guilty!)
• If your evenings are always stressful and rushed as you try to get supper on the table, plan your afternoons well so that supper prep starts earlier.

These simple considerations can make a huge difference in your schedule and your life!

Thoughts about Schedules

I hope you find some of these ideas helpful in creating your own daily schedule. Remember, schedules aren’t for making you work every second of the day. They are for ensuring you have a balance of work and leisure, so that you can get everything done without getting burned out!

One last point: Some days are so hectic, schedules go out the window. When that happens, don’t beat yourself up about not sticking to your daily schedule! The last thing you need at that point is more stress.

On particularly crazy days, I often pick just one or two things that absolutely need to happen, and focus on those until they are complete. When I’m faced with a jam-packed day, anything more can be overwhelming.

Setting up a daily schedule is part of becoming intentional about homemaking. It helps you to appreciate your days more, whether they are spent at home or not.

Interested in learning more? Read more about this kind of homemaking in my introduction to intentional homemaking .

Related Posts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Finished Papers

Get Professional Writing Services Today!

Get a free quote from our professional essay writing service and an idea of how much the paper will cost before it even begins. If the price is satisfactory, accept the bid and watch your concerns slowly fade away! Our team will make sure that staying up until 4 am becomes a thing of the past. The essay service is known for providing some of the best writing, editing, and proofreading available online. What are you waiting for? Join our global educational community today!

receive 15% off

Affiliate program

Refer our service to your friend and receive 10% from every order

Customer Reviews

Tinggalkan Balasan Batalkan balasan

Alamat email Anda tidak akan dipublikasikan. Ruas yang wajib ditandai *

Once I Hire a Writer to Write My Essay, Is It Possible for Me to Monitor Their Progress?

Absolutely! Make an order to write my essay for me, and we will get an experienced paper writer to take on your task. When you set a deadline, some people choose to simply wait until the task is complete, but others choose a more hands-on process, utilizing the encrypted chat to contact their writer and ask for a draft or a progress update. On some occasions, your writer will be in contact with you if a detail from your order needs to be clarified. Good communication and monitoring is the key to making sure your work is as you expected, so don't be afraid to use the chat when you get someone to write my essay!