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The school year always seems to be hectic. Between sporting events, parent conferences, band concerts and more, it can be hard to keep track of everything your family and friends will be doing this coming school year.
That's where a helpful little tool from Google? - called Google Calendar - can come in handy. As with most of Google's applications, Google Calendar costs nothing and signing up is easy.
Getting Started
Just log on to Google.com/calendar and create a free account, which will take all of two minutes.
Once you've registered, organizing your schedule is only a few clicks away. If you're still apprehensive, take comfort in knowing that Google Calendar works like most personal scheduling programs, but with a few added perks.
More Than Just a Calendar
For starters, Google Calendar is fairly user-friendly, offering daily, weekly, and monthly views of your schedule. The program also offers the ability to create personal calendars for things like American holidays or birthdays. Any calendar you set up can be easily integrated with Google's email program, Gmail. This allows you to quickly add events mentioned in Gmail conversations as well as most other events you find online.
Google Calendar also has a really great tool that allows you to search all of your calendars for specific information.
One other feature worth noting is called "Quick Add." This enables you to add events to your schedule simply by clicking a link and then typing in the relevant event information in "natural language" (i.e. Tom's party next Saturday at 8:00pm).
Finally, Google Calendar does integrate fairly well with most existing scheduling programs; however, it may require a little manipulation in some instances.
Share Your Calendar
Google Calendar also gives you the ability to share your schedule with others and vice versa. Perfect for families on the go or business associates at opposite ends of the country, Google Calendar maintains your privacy by allowing you to pick and choose which events you want others to see. The program also allows you to plan and promote events by giving you the ability to send invitations as well as track RSVPs.
Never Miss an Event...Receive Reminders!
Perhaps the most exciting feature of Google Calendar is the options it gives you in terms of reminders. Whenever you schedule an important event, Google Calendar gives you the option to receive reminders via email, an online pop-up, or a text message on your cell phone!
Whether you're completely overwhelmed by the school year or simply on the fence about your current scheduling program, you may want to give Google Calendar a try. It may open your eyes to some interesting new options!
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