I've used the core system here to work out my chords, strumming, picking, finger picking etc.. then moved on to the core system part 2 when I felt that I had gotten my fingers used to holding the chords down long enough to practice something harder.
The whole time I was in the core system, I broke up the practice "blues" with some bouncing around and looking at what was coming up. I'd look at the lessons ahead and prepared myself to be able to attack them without the finger pains of the practice.
I'd find some simple songs on the "Song List" such as Ode to Joy etc and try and pluck those out and work out how to build up my chord practices.
I don't really have a "Schedule" as I never know when I will be needind to take my tired butt to bed for nap... So I just grab the gee tar whenever I feel like hitting the chords..
Once I DO that though, I usually practice for a few hours at a time or until my hand tires. *Don't push your hands though if they feel tired or sore.. Carpal Tunnel can be brought on by doing so*
Just this kind of practicing has gotten me thru the core systems 1 and 2 and on to playing some level 2 and 3 type tunes... I started playing the guitar in December.. but actually started learning once I joined here a few months back..
Christopher Schlegal, Bobby Howe, JD, Neal, Lisa M, Hanspeter and the others have ALL made some excellent tutorials to follow... and trust me.. I don't ever plan on cancelling my membership.. my son will have to do that once I die... Just follow these folks' leads and you'll find out you really don't have to rely on a "schedule". It all just seems to fall into place as you start the core system.

Howard
PS One MAJOR thing that helped me to start plucking the tunes out.. Learn to read the tabs! Once you learn to read the guitar tabs.. you can sit there and start trying to get your own groove on... that was a MAJOR factor in my learning!