Whether or not your professor actually utilizes the Canvas calendar can be quite a coin toss; however, if they do, it's arguably one of the most efficient ways to stay organized and on track with your coursework. Its separation from your email calendar ensures that its sole purpose is to support your scholarly organization, preventing it from becoming cluttered with all the other responsibilities that typically inundate your schedule.
Layout
Like most calendars, you can customize the layout according to your specific needs. The default view is by month, allowing you to see all the upcoming classes, assignments, and events for the next few weeks. If this feels overwhelming, you can switch to the 'week' view, which shows your immediate responsibilities. If neither of these options works for you, you can opt for the 'agenda' view, which lists all upcoming items and skips days without any events. This can be a useful checklist for getting your homework done early—a habit I'm sure you've mastered.
Calendar Selection
You can color-code your Canvas calendar for various personal events, classes, discussion groups, and more. To change the color of a specific class, simply click on the three dots to the right of that calendar in the list on the right side of the screen. This will open a color selector. I recommend assigning one color to all your classes (e.g., different shades of blue) so that other events, such as group or personal activities, stand out. If you wish to hide upcoming assignments or events for a particular class, click on the colored square to the left of the calendar's name to uncheck it and remove the events from view.
Assignments
In most cases, the primary reason for using the calendar will be to keep track of the due dates for upcoming assignments. If the professor has set a specific due date for an assignment, it will automatically appear on your calendar and will be marked off once you've submitted it. The calendar is also a quick reference point, as each calendar assignment is directly linked to the submission page.
Classes
While Whitman is not particularly known for utilizing the calendar for classes, some professors are beginning to embrace it. If they do, you'll be able to see when your class is scheduled, if it has been canceled, and it may provide a convenient link to the list of readings you need to complete before class. Let's hope more professors start using it in the future!
Adding an Event
Manually adding an event is similar to adding one to a regular calendar. You can either click on the day you want to schedule the event and fill in the details to create it, or you can click the + button on the right of the 'agenda' to add an event or set a reminder for your 'to-do' list.
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