Managing Your Calendar Effectively: Online Organizational Tools

When it comes to your education, you can never be too prepared. Think about it, how many times did you go to school and realize that you either forgot to do your homework, didn’t study for a test, or forgot to do a big project? So, it’s not unreasonable to guess that any organizational tools could help keep you on top of your agenda. If you are taking classes online, there is an even greater need to stay organized (because you have such a busy schedule as is, you would hate to miss an assignment for class just because you forgot, right?).

In order to help everyone out, I made a list of some of the free online organizational tools available. That way, you can go to class and keep yourself organized all in the same web browser.

The following are some of the platforms you can use to stay on top of your workload:

Toodledo:

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This tool is free for computers, iPhones, Androids, and Blackberries. Toodledo’s operating structure uses a tiered system so that you can see your to-do list from the top down (in list of importance: tier 6-1). With Toodledo, you can import all other duties and calendars from different sources and have them all in one platform. Furthermore, you can divide the tasks into different subfolders (i.e. by category. For example, all your science work in one folder, all your English in another, etc.) with different due dates. It’s a handy way to compile your to-do list and calendar all in one.

Treepad Lite:

Treepad Lite is a giant storehouse for any bit of information that you need access to (and want to have kept in one area). With Treepad, you can store emails, notes, phone numbers, etc. This is your one-stop resource for information storage. That way, you aren’t looking around in your emails to find a hard-to-find attachment, it’s all right there.

Time Tracker:

Time Tracker is a to-do list that stays with you. You open it up, input your schedule and hit the go button. If you have been spending too much time on a project, or aren’t on task, the Time Tracker will alert you to get back on task or move to the next duty. This resource may be a little irritating to deal with at the beginning, but it will maximize your work efficiency and will save you lots of time.

Dropbox:

Similar to Treepad, this is the one-stop platform for information storage. Because Dropbox is a bigger name, you have more room to store more things (but that extra room comes at a price, so be warned). Dropbox is handy because you can keep track of your stuff, but also have access to other people’s files (if they permit you). Dropbox is very handy for file sharing and group projects (either for work or school).

It’s really hard to keep track of all your stuff. Sometimes, you forget things (that’s why I use the calendar on my phone to remind me of things I need to do). However, imagine if you could upload that calendar to an online program that would sync your to-do list, contacts and schedule onto one device with one service, with these tools, you will be able to do just that.

Do read the third part on tools and accessories that help in research and assignment.

Byline:  Jordan Freis is a freelance writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them search for online courses that can help them reach their goals.