8 Keys to Time Management

With school, clubs, and work, my life can get very hectic. Last year I would have just cried about it and freaked out, but this year, I won't be doing that. And the reason behind it? Time management. One of the most valuable things I've ever learned. It changed my life! Now I can deal effectively and efficiently with my busy schedule, and I no longer have to worry about doing things late or running out of time. It can be hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. So here's an 8-step guide for time management for high schoolers!

1. Make a list

First, I want you to make a list of all the obligations with a set time you have and write them down. These are “need to do tasks.” Some examples would be work, sports practice, or anything else that has a set time. Anything that you must do on a daily or weekly basis. It's a good idea to write or type it out so you can visually see what you must do. Write the times and what day of the week you do them. Now add the obligations without set times to the list. This refers to homework time, time to take your dog on a walk, any event with no set time. Write these down on the list. You don't need to put these in a planner if you do them every day.

2. Buy a planner for homework assignments

The next step, once you finish your list, is to buy a planner. I prefer the monthly ones with the boxes, but whatever works the best for you is perfect. You can find nice ones at Barnes and Noble, but if you want a cheaper option, you should try Target. Write down all of this month's set time events. Write down all homework assignments in this planner too. 

3. Write a daily schedule 

The third step on your way to mastering time management is to make a daily schedule for the week. Set time aside after school to relax, do homework, shower, etc. Plan out your entire day. Creating a schedule for yourself promotes stability and can make life less spontaneous. Schedules help you stay on track and improve time management skills overall! It might seem boring and a little difficult, but it's so worth it. 

4. Learn to say “no”

If you're like me, anytime anyone asks for help or asks you to do something, you always say yes. No matter what. This isn't healthy. You need to learn now to say no to things that will interfere with your efficiency in completing “need-to-do tasks.” Saying “no” can be good, but say “yes” to the things you have to do or can do. If someone asks you to volunteer for an event on a Saturday and you're free: say yes! But, if someone asks you to volunteer for an event, but you have two tests the next day you need to study for: say no. If your boss asks you if you can work a few extra hours, but you need to get home and take care of your dog: say no. It seems simple, but for some people it can be extremely hard. Don't feel bad about it; you can't do everything. You need to prioritize yourself and your goals over other people. Practice this, and once you get the hang of it, you'll be saying “no” when you need to!

5. Work on your attention span

In today's TikTok world, it can be hard to focus on anything without the urge to “scroll” past it. One of the most important things about time management is actually having the attention span to complete projects and assignments. When doing your homework, put your phone on do not disturb and put it in a completely different room (that goes for iPads too, which can be hard for me because I'm obsessed with my iPad). Another way to improve your attention span is to set limits on fast social media like Instagram and TikTok. Now, I know I sound like an old person saying “these kids have low attention spans because of their darn phones!” but it's literally the truth. Setting a 5-10 minute limit for Instagram and TikTok will totally improve your attention span because you won't be watching as many quick videos, therefore reshaping your brain into being able to process information for long periods of time. 

6. Stop procrastinating! 

This step is key. Stop procrastinating and get that work done. It's honestly not that hard once you set your mind to it! It will only get worse if you leave it for the last minute a day before the deadline. Some people say, “Oh, I'll just wait until the last second because I work well under pressure”! NO! Get it done early! You'll eventually keep putting that work off and off and off and it will never get done! You need to learn to do work early if you're interested in going to college because getting a paper or assignment done on time or even early looks so good to professors. And if you plan on having a serious career, you wouldn't wait until the last minute to do a presentation due for your boss, right? So start now! It's so freeing to have the work done before the deadline, especially if you do it on Friday and it's due Monday, so you have the weekend off! Stop procrastinating and do your work early!

7. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night

It's too often that I hear high schoolers say, “I only got four hours of sleep last night!” or “I stayed up all night”! We shouldn't be normalizing this. To do well in school and use your time wisely, you need at least 6+ hours of sleep each weeknight. I recommend 8 overall, but for weekends, I won't recommend getting 6+ hours because as teenagers, we like to stay up late, and I think it's okay as long as you don't have any work to do or have to go anywhere in the morning. Sleep is a very important thing in life; it can shape your whole mood for the following day, so getting a good night's rest is great for those who are trying to be time-efficient. Not only does sleep improve your mood, but you're also less likely to take a nap when you get home, leaving time for studying and homework. Take a page out of your grandma's book, go to bed at nine! 

8. Get a job (If you don't have one)

For the last step, I would recommend getting a job if you don't have one, but only if you have enough time for one! I understand some teens just don't have enough time between sports practice and other responsibilities, but getting a job has really helped my time management skills! A job can teach you valuable life skills, such as positive communication and teamwork. If you haven't had a job yet, I recommend you start applying now as it can teach you a strong work ethic, and you shouldn't go into college without working a day in your life. You should learn to make your own money before you get a professional career. Ask your friends with jobs if they have a position open or are hiring, as having a connection with someone already employed there can be a huge positive. Personally, I love my job, and it has helped me so much with time management!

In conclusion, by following these 8 steps (or even just a few of them), you're on your way to having effective time management skills that you'll use your entire life!!