{"id":26288,"date":"2026-11-13T08:13:26","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T13:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/?p=26288"},"modified":"2026-11-13T13:38:23","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T18:38:23","slug":"course-schedules-path-to-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2026\/11\/13\/course-schedules-path-to-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Course Schedules: Charting a Path to Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-5px|||” custom_padding=”2px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/11\/pexels-treasure-map-1850653-300×200.jpg” alt=”a pair of female hands hold an aged map with hand-drawn lines, two red x’s, and a question mark in the center” title_text=”treasure map” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Have you ever read (or written) a course guide that reads more like the vague clues in a scavenger hunt than the detailed directions from a well-programmed GPS? Of course, we don\u2019t create confusing course guides on purpose, but it\u2019s easy to get lost in all the nitty-gritty details and to forget that these documents are ultimately intended to help our students succeed, not to hinder their learning progress.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”291px” custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

One way to help your students map a clear path through your course is to include a course schedule in your course guide. A course schedule includes all the topics, readings, assessments, etc., that you have planned for the term. Does this take some time and effort to create? Yes, but it\u2019s time and effort well-spent. Charting the course of your semester helps you communicate where you\u2019re going and how you\u2019re going to get there. Furthermore, it gives students an accurate picture of the workload and its distribution throughout the term, which in turn helps them plan how to manage their time not just for your class, but for all the classes they\u2019re taking this semester.<\/p>\n

A course schedule can take multiple forms. At its most basic, it may be simply a chronological list of due dates and associated assignments. However, displaying the course schedule as a table or calendar format can make it easier for students to understand and use for their own planning and time management purposes.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Course Schedule Templates<\/h3>\n

Want to make a course schedule for your class next term? The CFC has your back! We\u2019ve created a set of course schedule templates<\/a> that have all the class dates and official University breaks already filled in for Spring 2027. There are separate versions for MWF and TR classes. Please download, adapt, and fill out these templates to make them work for you and your students!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Best Practices<\/h3>\n