Time Management Tips For Students

1.  Set Realistic Goals

Set goals that are realistic, but challenging.  Focus on incremental growth in one area at a time.

2.  Don’t Waste Time Procrastinating

Time is a commodity–once it is gone it cannot be replaced.  When you waste time worrying and procrastinating it quite often makes things worse.  Make the commitment to put yourself and the things that will result in positive outcomes a priority in your life.

3.  Make a “To Do” List Every Day

Use a system that works for you!  You can use an agenda, planner, piece of paper, post-its, your phone, or even a dry erase board.  Put the things that are the most important at the top, and do them first.

4.  Use Minutes Wisely

As you are waiting for someone, perhaps for a club or sports activity to start or while traveling back and forth from school, use the time to read or to start assignments.     If you find just fifteen minutes a day, that means an extra hour and a half during the school week.

5.  Find the Right Time and Place

When and where do you work best?  Find out when your most productive part of the day is, and concentrate on the tasks that maximize your brain power.  Turn off your cell phone and Facebook, so that you can enjoy those activities after you finish your work.

Find a place in your home, school, or the local library where you feel comfortable and you are free from distraction.

6.  Communicate Your Schedule to Others

Once you find the best study time and place for you, communicate your goals to your friends and family.  The less interruptions the better!  Ask your friends to hold their texts and phone calls until you have reached your goals.  In fact, you can encourage your friends to work during the same time so you can really enjoy socializing without worrying about what needs to be done.

7.   Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Getting at least eight hours of sleep every night will make you more focused.  You will have the ability to accomplish more with more energy!

8.  Keep Things in Perspective

Life happens!  You won’t always be able to keep to an exact schedule and you will need to stay committed to keeping yourself on track.  If you get off of your schedule, don’t panic.  Get back on task as soon as possible.

Discussion Questions:

1.)  What are the hardest tasks that you struggle with to get accomplished?

2.)  How does it make you feel when you allow tasks to pile up?

3.)  What is your best tip for managing your time wisely?