My guess is that I’m in the minority when I admit that I actually enjoy scheduling music therapy groups, individual sessions, and lessons. Sure, it can be a huge headache; but there’s something extremely satisfying about making it all work (after lots of erasing and rearranging). It’s sort of like a puzzle, and I love puzzles!
So here’s how I tackle this job: I give all of my current students and incoming students (or their parents) a list of all my open time slots, as pictured above, a few months before the next session begins. I’ve found that it’s easier to schedule the summer and school year sessions at the same time, so that I don’t have to go through the passing out and collecting process twice.
Students and parents then fill in their preferred time slots, rating them 1 through 5. I have a master spreadsheet that looks a lot like the tables above, except with much bigger cells…because I pencil in each student in each of their preferred time slots and circle the number. I’ve done this both on the computer and by hand, and found that the by-hand method works much better — for me, at least.
Once I’ve received everyone’s time slot preferences, the real fun begins. I take my hand-filled master spreadsheet and begin plugging students into the computer, giving higher preference to students in order of seniority (how long they’ve been in my studio).
I have to take into account which families have more than one student, students with longer lessons or music therapy sessions, and the type of lesson or session they have. I try to space out music therapy sessions, because these take the most energy and planning (as opposed to a piano or voice lesson).
Students don’t always get their first, second, or even third preference. In years past, I haven’t had to go beyond the #5 slot, but I’ve never had more than 30 students. This summer and fall, though, I have 50 students to schedule…so that may change. This is going to be one tough puzzle to put together! So if I seem a bit frazzled after the first of May, you’ll know why ;)
How do you go about scheduling your students or classes? And do you dread it, or look forward to it like me? If there’s a better method out there, I’m not opposed to trying it out. Please share!
Dear Rachel,
What a timely post! Just this week I have started to collect my planning information from the families at my studio. It’s something I have done for 18 years.
I give out forms for parents to fill out and they have about 3 weeks to get them back to me. I use the information to create my Fall registration and scheduling form.
Fall registration begins near the end of April and typically is complete by mid-May. It’s a fast and furious time, lots of balancing, and as you say, erasing, but once it’s done, I’m set for the next year.
I have discovered that by using planning forms, I attract parents who take their music and movement/lessons seriously and make it a priority in their family. I LOVE working with those families. Using planning forms also lends an atmosphere of excitement…everyone awaits the final tally…when will their class be? What will the start time be? How will I balance the classes with the private time? That part of it is fun.
I also have summer planning forms that are returned at the same time. I limit my work in the summer months (only to June and July). I reserve August for planning and school year prep.
Thanks for sharing your forms and ideas!
Hi Susan! I figured there were others getting ready to do scheduling soon. I completely agree – by returning their forms, families show that they are committed to the time I spend with their children (and in some cases, adults). They all anxiously await their final time slots, too! Like you, I limit my summer schedule to 8 weeks in June and July. It’s so nice to have a big chunk of planning and recharging time in August. Good luck with your scheduling :)