3 Methods for Mastering Time Management

Don’t stress too much if you’re not great at managing your time. The truth is, a lot of people struggle with this, especially when school work is part of the equation. However, no matter how you feel about homework or studying, the reality is that it needs to get done. If you can’t learn to manage your time well, it will cause you a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. Check out these recommendations to start working on your time management skills.

Use a Planner

Whether it’s a physical planner you write in every week, the calendar on your phone, or an application on your laptop, writing things down is critical to managing your time. You can do this once a week or as often as needed. Sit down with your planner and go through everything you have going on. Write down when you have class, if you have practice or rehearsal after school, volunteering over the weekends, when you have tests and papers due, etc.

Be sure you’re checking this often to make sure you don’t forget. Most importantly, find some space in your week for studying and homework. If you have long soccer practices on Tuesdays, but a lot of time with nothing scheduled on Wednesdays, take out a block of time on Wednesday afternoons after school to catch up on assignments and test review. You can even write down exactly what you’d like to get done during this time for extra organization points. Be sure you’re doing this each week and eventually it will become just another part of your weekly routine. 

Make To-Do Lists

Create a list with everything you have to do that week, from homework to soccer practice to your grandma’s birthday party. Check them off as you complete them, so you can monitor your progress as your week goes by. This, of course, is especially important when it comes to things like writing papers or completing homework assignments. If you don’t make a thorough list, you might end up forgetting about that worksheet you had for history class. It can be so satisfying to watch your long list of tasks get checked off, especially when you complete that week’s final task!

Keep Your Life Organized

Be sure that you always know where your things are. In addition to using your planner, use labeled folders and notebooks to organize your notes for class and any papers or handouts you might receive. Keep everything tidy in your backpack, locker, and even on your desk at home. Not only is it important to make sure your academic life is organized, but your home and social life should be, too. Try to keep your living spaces clean, as this will help you relax when you feel burnt out. Staying well-rested and getting plenty of exercise is part of this, too. An organized mind and body will translate to a better you; you’ll feel amazing and ready to start checking things off your to-do list!

Struggling with time management and organization at school? Contact us to see how we can help.