How to add your syllabus to Google Calendar
Two ways to do it: enter each deadline by hand, or upload your syllabus PDF below and download a calendar file with every date already in it. The manual steps are written out in full further down, so you can choose whichever suits you.
Turn your syllabus into a calendar file
Piloted reads the exams, assignments, and readings printed in your PDF and gives you a single .ics file to import. No sign-up needed.
Drop your syllabus PDF here, or click to browse
PDF only · Up to 10MB · Free
Adding your syllabus manually, step by step
- 1
Collect every date from your syllabus
Read the course schedule section and write down each exam, assignment, quiz, and reading with its due date. Include the weight of each item so you know what matters most.
- 2
Open Google Calendar on desktop
Go to calendar.google.com and sign in with your student account. Importing is only available on desktop, not the mobile app.
- 3
Create a calendar for the course
In the left sidebar, select Other calendars, then Create new calendar. Name it with the course code so you can toggle it on and off during the semester.
- 4
Add each deadline as an event
Click a date, add the title, and set it as an all-day event when no time is printed. Repeat for every item you listed in step one.
- 5
Set reminders that give you room to work
Open each event, choose Add notification, and set one reminder seven days ahead and one the day before. A same-day reminder arrives too late to help.
- 6
Or import an .ics file instead
If you have an .ics file, open Settings, select Import and export, choose the file, pick the destination calendar, and select Import. Every deadline appears at once.
What a calendar alone cannot do for you
Dated events tell you when something is due. They do not tell you when to start. Piloted adds the work sessions in between, so a fourteen-week semester turns into a plan you can follow each day.
- Prep sessions scheduled before each deadline
- Heavier deliverables get more preparation time
- A daily list you can realistically finish
- Everything re-plans when a date moves
Common questions
Can Google Calendar read a syllabus PDF directly?
No. Google Calendar cannot read a PDF. You either enter each date by hand or import an .ics file, which is the standard calendar format every major calendar app accepts.
How do I import an .ics file into Google Calendar?
On desktop, open Google Calendar, click the gear icon and choose Settings, select Import and export, select your .ics file, choose the calendar to add it to, and click Import.
Will the imported deadlines sync to my phone?
Yes. Once the events are in your Google account, they appear in the Google Calendar mobile app and any calendar app connected to that account.
Can I remove the events later?
Yes. Import into a dedicated course calendar and you can hide or delete that entire calendar at the end of the semester without touching your other events.