Making the Minutes Count: 10 Time Management Strategies for Students
It can seem impossible for students to tackle everything on their to-do lists. Between school, chores, extracurriculars, relationships, and sleep, their plates are piled up. Help your kids learn to handle life’s demands by teaching them to manage their time wisely. In this blog, we’re sharing ten time management strategies to help students fulfill their responsibilities with less stress.
10 Time Management Strategies for Students
Does your student struggle to accomplish tasks on time? Or perhaps they don’t prioritize tasks appropriately? Try out these ten time management strategies at school or home!
1. Make a Plan
Get into the habit of helping your kids learn to plan out their days. Buy an agenda planner for them to record assignments and important notes in. Then, teach them how to use it effectively and determine what information to write down.
Until your child gets used to using a planner regularly, set aside time either in the morning or the night before to prepare for the day ahead. Of course, the day probably won’t go exactly as planned, but at least your child will have an idea of what they should aim to accomplish.
2. Prioritize Tasks
Once your child has created a plan for their day, the next step is to prioritize their tasks. At first, you’ll have to help them determine which to-do items are most urgent, then explain that those are the tasks they should do first.
The ABC Method is a simple and effective technique to manage tasks. Simply look at the to-do items in your planner and label each one with either an A, B, or C.
- A: The task needs to be done today
- B: It would be ideal to complete the task today
- C: The task can be pushed to tomorrow, if needed
“A” tasks should be tackled first, as they are most time-sensitive, followed by “B” and “C” tasks.
3. Remove Distractions
In order to get all of the priority tasks done on their to-do list, your child will have to be diligent with their time and avoid things that inhibit productivity. You can help them be proactive by minimizing distractions in their work area. Turn off the television, silence cell phones, and use technology wisely.
Additionally, be sure to teach your children how to identify when they’re distracted and get themselves back on track. For example, if they can’t stop looking out the window when they should be writing an essay, they could close the blinds or move into another room to focus better.
4. Use Timers to Stay on Track
Time blocking is another great strategy for maintaining focus. Help your student organize their day by breaking it up into blocks of time and using a timer to keep track. The amount of time that your child spends on a task will vary based on their needs and age.
For example, maybe your student has to read a chapter and answer five reading comprehension questions. Tell them you’re going to set a timer for 30 minutes (or however long you feel is appropriate based on your child’s age and attention span), and that they should stay on task until the time is up. Keep the timer somewhere they can easily see it, that way they’re always aware how much time they have left until moving on.
5. Take Breaks
Focusing on one task for a long period of time can be draining, especially for young children. So, be sure to provide your child with frequent, short breaks throughout the day between each time block. This will help release pent up energy and “recharge their batteries” before moving onto the next task.
6. Make Transitions Smooth
Knowing when and how to switch gears is another key time management strategy, and having smooth transitions between tasks really helps to keep your students on track. Students thrive when they know what to expect, so we recommend giving them notice when they’re about to move on to a new task.
For example, if you block off 30 minutes of time for reading, be sure to let your child know that they’ll get a five-minute break after that time block, then they’ll be working on a math assignment for 30 minutes after the break.
If your student has a hard time transitioning from task to task, give them frequent reminders like, “we’re going to stop reading and take a break in 10 minutes.” It may also be helpful to post a schedule somewhere they can reference throughout the day.
7. Determine Productive Time Windows
People are most productive at different times. Some are firing on all cylinders first thing in the morning, while others need to ease into their day and are ready to tackle tasks in the afternoon. Help your student figure out when they are most productive and take advantage of those optimal times by doing the most involved tasks then.
8. Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination is a common obstacle for those who struggle with time management. If your child tends to procrastinate, get to the root of WHY they avoid certain tasks. Do they understand what’s being asked of them? Are they feeling overwhelmed or anxious? Do they simply dislike the subject or task at hand? Have a gentle discussion with your child and determine possible solutions together.
Another way you can avoid procrastination is by encouraging your student to begin working on tasks early. Review upcoming deadlines together on a weekly basis and update planners so they don’t end up waiting until the last minute.
9. Break Projects into Chunks
Projects can be overwhelming for students who struggle to manage their time. Make larger tasks more manageable by breaking them up into chunks. Then, set goals together. For example, if your child has a research paper due at the end of the month, set dates that they should have a certain number of pages completed by. Then, check in with them throughout the month to make sure they’re keeping up.
10. Focus on One Thing At a Time
Students’ work can suffer when they focus on too many tasks at once. It’s easier to make silly mistakes when attention is split. To avoid this issue, we suggest encouraging your child to dedicate their full attention to one thing at a time rather than multitasking. Concentrated focus for shorter periods of time will produce higher quality work.
Time management is an important skill for students to master. Not only does it help them maintain their schedules effectively, but it also helps reduce feelings of anxiety and stress that can impact their health. And because it’s a skill that’s used throughout life, forming a strong foundation will serve them well now and in the future.