{"id":6059,"date":"2014-07-25T12:00:06","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T10:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/?p=6059"},"modified":"2014-07-25T13:54:27","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T11:54:27","slug":"stay-organised-with-a-digital-calendar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/2014\/07\/stay-organised-with-a-digital-calendar\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital calendars: handy helpersDigitale kalenders: handige helpers"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all experienced that sinking feeling sometime or another: when you realise the big interview\u00a0you thought was tomorrow is actually today. Or when you have to cancel going out with your best friend because you forgot you had to be somewhere else. Or when you get a call from someone important asking why you didn\u2019t show up for your meeting with them.<\/p>\n

The fact of modern life is this: it\u2019s busy. There\u2019s a lot to keep track of: \u00a0meetings, birthdays, events and, of course, your social life, to name but a few. To try to remember all of this is a waste of mental energy \u2013 energy that you could have put to better use.<\/p>\n

Using a paper planner is a step forward, in the sense that you don\u2019t have to remember everything. But really, keeping track of your life can be better<\/i>, easier<\/i> and more fun<\/i>. And that\u2019s precisely where a digital calendar comes into the picture.<\/p>\n

WHY USE A DIGITAL CALENDAR?<\/strong><\/div>\n

A digital calendar:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Let\u2019s you easily create events<\/b> (including repeating ones) and move them around<\/b> \u2013 much better than having to cross out or erase in a paper planner;<\/li>\n
  2. Can present your schedule to you in different formats<\/b>, e.g. as a list of upcoming events, a day view, week view, month view, etc. \u2013 useful in different situations;<\/li>\n
  3. Let\u2019s you set reminders<\/b> for important events;<\/li>\n
  4. Let\u2019s you store additional information<\/b> with an event, e.g. where it takes place, as well as a description; and<\/li>\n
  5. Let\u2019s you search your events<\/b> \u2013 extremely handy in the rare cases when you need it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As an added extra, a digital calendar doubles as a diary <\/strong>of sorts: you\u2019ll easily be able to navigate back in time to see what you did at a specific point in the past.<\/p>\n

    THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE<\/strong><\/div>\n

    There are a number of digital calendar tools available today, some as software that you install on your computer (e.g. Microsoft Outlook) and some as \u201ccloud\u201d calendars (i.e. where your data is securely stored online). While you can experiment with what works for you, Google Calendar \u2013 a free, cloud-based calendar \u2013 is bound to be a good choice, because it\u2019s simple to use and easily synced with multiple devices (e.g. your phone, tablet and computer).<\/p>\n

    Google Calendar (Free)<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

    Once you\u2019ve signed up, you\u2019ll get a blank calendar, ready for you to start adding events<\/a>. You\u2019ll be able to access your calendar from any computer with an internet connection by entering the above address in your web browser. If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can easily set it up to synchronise events with your Google Calendar, so you will have your schedule with you (and can add new events) wherever you go. Reading the welcoming page<\/a> will get you up and running with all this and more in no time.<\/p>\n

    THE GOLDEN RULE<\/strong><\/div>\n

    When it comes to entering events, it\u2019s all or nothing.<\/p>\n

    To get the most out of your digital calendar you\u2019ll need to commit to adding everything<\/i> you want to keep track of. No more \u201cI don\u2019t need to add that meeting; I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll remember it\u201d. If you can\u2019t look at your calendar and trust<\/i> that it\u2019s really giving you a complete picture of your schedule, it\u2019s really of no use.<\/p>\n

    What this means in practical terms:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Whenever someone wants to schedule something with you, take a look at your calendar first. The initial comments from your friends will stop as soon as they see how much easier it makes your life.<\/li>\n
    2. Once you have a date or time for an activity, create a new event immediately, so as to prevent forgetting to add it later. For example, the moment you hear about a test in class, you and your friend decide on a coffee date or you see a notice of your favourite band performing in Aandklas or Bohemia, quickly jot it down in your calendar.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The easiest way to accomplish both of the above is to have your calendar set up on your phone or tablet (see the previous section). While the above may sound like a cumbersome habit, you\u2019ll get used to it very quickly. And from what you\u2019re going to gain from it, it\u2019s totally worth it.<\/p>\n

      OTHER HELPFUL TIPS AND TRICKS<\/strong><\/div>\n

      By simply taking a look at your calendar before scheduling events and entering new ones the moment you hear about them, you\u2019ll already be able to get a better grip on the practicalities of your daily life. To get even more from your calendar, use these pointers:<\/p>\n