It's Time for School ...

Does it seem like the day is never long enough to get your schoolwork done, see friends, and have time for yourself? Do you start feeling stressed out by the end of the day, or are you staying up late at night trying to get all your homework done? A lot of people have this problem, but it's something you can fix by learning a few time management skills. Time management helps you figure out how to fit everything into your daily schedule, and leave out the anxiety.

Wants vs. Needs

Every day, you have such a packed schedule—school, friends, clubs, homework, family time—that it can be hard to fit it all in. But you can do everything you want; it just takes some flexibility when planning your day. The first step, and probably the hardest one, is to divide up your daily schedule into two groups: “have to do activities” and “want to do activities.” Each of these groups is important but has different priorities. The “have to do activities” are ones you need to do, or else there will be consequences, like going to school, doing homework, and getting enough sleep at night. The “want to do activities” are things you would like to do but can be postponed in favor of the “have to do activities.” Get the difference?

Ask yourself: what will happen if you don't go to your best friend's house tomorrow night? You would miss out on some girl time, but hopefully she would understand that finishing all of your homework is more important. Now ask yourself: what will happen if you don't study for your science test that is in two days and go to your friend's house instead? You might not feel so confident when taking that test. Imagine how much more relaxed and prepared you would feel if you study first, then hang out with your friend when you are both free!

Keep a Planner

Writing your schedule down can help with time management by letting you see what you need to get done, what you have finished, and where you are having problems. Making your schedule also helps you visualize what you need to do. One way is to make an hourly chart that starts when you wake up in the morning and ends when you go to bed. (Just make sure you allow for nine to ten hours of sleep each night!) Remember those activities you put in the “have to do activities” group? Put them into your schedule, making sure you give yourself enough time to get your homework and studying done.

Now that you have your “have to do activities” mapped out, you can put in the “want to do activities.” So when your best friend asks you if you can hang out after school on Wednesday, you can take a look at your schedule and let her know! It may take some time to get used to these new time management techniques, but it will make it easier to see when you can hang out with friends, and when you need to spend time on other things. When you stick to your schedule, don't forget to reward yourself for all your hard work!

Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch

About the Author

Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch

It's Time for School ... Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch Does it seem like the day is never long enough to get your schoolwork done, see friends, and have time for yourself? Do you start feeling stressed out by the end of the day, or are you staying up late at night trying to get all your homework done? A lot of people have this problem, but it's something you can fix by learning a few time management skills. Time management helps you figure out how to fit everything into your daily schedule, and leave out the anxiety. Wants vs. Needs Every day, you have such a packed schedule—school, friends, clubs, homework, family time—that it can be hard to fit it all in. But you can do everything you want; it just takes some flexibility when planning your day. The first step, and probably the hardest one, is to divide up your daily schedule into two groups: “have to do activities” and “want to do activities.” Each of these groups is important but has different priorities. The “have to do activities” are ones you need to do, or else there will be consequences, like going to school, doing homework, and getting enough sleep at night. The “want to do activities” are things you would like to do but can be postponed in favor of the “have to do activities.” Get the difference? Ask yourself: what will happen if you don't go to your best friend's house tomorrow night? You would miss out on some girl time, but hopefully she would understand that finishing all of your homework is more important. Now ask yourself: what will happen if you don't study for your science test that is in two days and go to your friend's house instead? You might not feel so confident when taking that test. Imagine how much more relaxed and prepared you would feel if you study first, then hang out with your friend when you are both free! Keep a Planner Writing your schedule down can help with time management by letting you see what you need to get done, what you have finished, and where you are having problems. Making your schedule also helps you visualize what you need to do. One way is to make an hourly chart that starts when you wake up in the morning and ends when you go to bed. (Just make sure you allow for nine to ten hours of sleep each night!) Remember those activities you put in the “have to do activities” group? Put them into your schedule, making sure you give yourself enough time to get your homework and studying done. Now that you have your “have to do activities” mapped out, you can put in the “want to do activities.” So when your best friend asks you if you can hang out after school on Wednesday, you can take a look at your schedule and let her know! It may take some time to get used to these new time management techniques, but it will make it easier to see when you can hang out with friends, and when you need to spend time on other things. When you stick to your schedule, don't forget to reward yourself for all your hard work! Image © Geotrac \| Dreamstime.com
About the Author Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch is a recent graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She was senior co-editor of the Feminist Scholarship Review and Women Unite! at the Women and Gender Resource Action Center. She is an advocate for women's health and a certified sexual assault crisis counselor.