Creating a Personal Schedule and Comparing It to The Talon’s Schedule

Managing your time effectively is crucial for meeting deadlines at The Talon while balancing other responsibilities. This guide will help you create a personal schedule that aligns with The Talon’s timeline, ensuring you stay on track without last-minute stress.

Step 1: Understand The Talon’s Schedule

Before making your own schedule, you need to be familiar with the deadlines and expectations set by The Talon. Here are key elements to consider:

✅ Article Assignments: When do you receive your topics? Are there deadlines for initial pitches?
✅ First Draft Due Date: When must you submit your first draft to the editors?
✅ Editing and Feedback Process: How long does it take to receive feedback from editors, and how many rounds of revisions are required?
✅ Final Submission Date: When is the absolute last day you can submit your revised and polished article?
✅ Publication Date: When will the issue go live, and how does that affect your timeline?

Request a copy of The Talon’s official schedule if you don’t already have it.

Step 2: Assess Your Personal Availability

Your schedule should take into account other commitments. Consider:

📌 Schoolwork: Homework, tests, and projects
📌 Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, and volunteer work
📌 Work (if applicable): Part-time jobs or internships
📌 Personal Time: Breaks, social activities, and self-care

Write down any fixed obligations to see when you have free time to work on your article.

Step 3: Break Down Your Writing Process

To stay on track, break your work into manageable steps. Here’s an example schedule:

Research & Planning

• Day 1-2: Research topic, gather sources, take notes

• Day 3: Outline key points and structure your article

• Day 4: Write a rough introduction and main body

Writing & First Draft Submission

• Day 4: Complete first draft: Proofread and refine before submitting to editors

Editing & Revisions

• Day 5: Review editor feedback and make revisions Final proofreading and polishing: and Submit final draft

Final Checks & Submission

• If necessary, review additional edits before publication

This schedule ensures you have enough time for research, writing, and multiple revisions.

Step 4: Compare Your Schedule to The Talon’s

Now, match your personal schedule with The Talon’s deadlines.

✅ If your schedule aligns, great! Stick to your plan.
❌ If your schedule conflicts, adjust accordingly. You might need to start earlier or dedicate more time to revisions.

Use a planner or digital tools (Google Calendar, Notion, Trello) to track your progress.

Step 5: Stick to Your Plan and Stay Flexible

🔹 Set Reminders – Use alarms or notifications for deadlines.
🔹 Avoid Procrastination – Work on small sections regularly instead of cramming.
🔹 Communicate with Editors – If you need an extension, let them know early.
🔹 You Will Have time To Work on All Articles in Class

By following this guide, you'll meet The Talon’s deadlines while managing your workload effectively. Happy writing! ✍️