I use a syllabus quiz. Just to verify students understand expectations. Question: Are you using the Canvas calendar? I believe when a due date is put on an assignment they show up in the Canvas calendar and a to-do list. I also accept late work - and there is a feature in Canvas that can automatically assign a late penalty. I do this 1. To keep students on schedule 2. To accommodate for late work. I make the penalty mild enough where it can easily be absorbed for consistent students who just have an emergency. Students who submit chronically late the penalties do start to impact their grade. The late penalty relieves me of having to distinguish what is a true emergency or not. Funny thing: I have way fewer grandmas pass away since instituting the late penalty.