Time Management

One of the most challenging parts of making the transition from middle school to high school is dealing with the seemingly sudden exponential increase in workload. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: it can be made so much easier just by following a few simple tips!

Tip 1: Prioritize!

When dealing with a huge amount of given tasks for the day, the best thing that you can do for yourself is prioritize. Decide which tasks are more important: those should be completed first. Any other small, quick tasks can be done after the more difficult and time consuming ones are done. For example, you know that you have a simple math assignment and an English project due the next day. Since the English project requires more effort and is worth more towards your grade, perhaps it would be a better idea to start on the project first and get it done, then proceed with the math. Your brain will want to cool down naturally after doing the heavy lifting of more challenging tasks, so it is nice to give it a nice cool down period before you go on with your day. One great way of organizing your work and making priorities is by making lists. If you use this method, make your list and then highlight which tasks are more important based on the above criteria.

Tip 2: Procrastination…..Just No

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity simply because it is the conscious unwillingness to complete tasks. As much as every single one of us wants to believe that we don’t procrastinate, it really is unavoidable sometimes. However, leaving work for later that you could complete now will most always lead to sleepless nights of trying to finish it. To avoid procrastinating, leave your phone at least ten feet away from where you are working, and turn the ringer off so it does not startle you and distract you from what you are doing when you receive a notification. If you do notice yourself procrastinating, try using alarms to keep yourself on track, and ask someone to check in on you and keep you working.

Tip 3: Make a Schedule

Setting up blocks of time dedicated to certain tasks is sure to keep you organized and ready to work. Knowing when you get home and your routine is essential to this practice, and you might have to switch some things around before you optimize how you work. To start, think about what you normally do after getting home, and what can be cut out in order to give you more time to work while your mind is still fresh. Then, you may want to write out blocks of time dedicated to each subject or task you need to complete, as well as any other household tasks you need to do. Please keep in mind that your schedule may change at certain times, which is completely okay. As long as you create a schedule and stick to it, you should be much more timely!

Tip 4: Take Breaks!

Whether or not we like to work on tasks for school, we must persist. However, taking breaks is equally as important as working. Giving yourself some time to gather your thoughts or just think about nothing for a while is absolutely necessary to a healthy work ethic and environment. One popular method for balancing work and play is called the Pomodoro Technique, which entails working hard for 25 minutes, and then giving yourself five minutes to relax. This has been proven to keep your mind fresh and focused while doing homework and projects. Burn out is unfortunately very common for high school students, and taking breaks is very crucial to keeping ourselves healthy and productive.

Tip 5: Keep it Clean

Working in a work environment that is clean is always way more enjoyable and efficient than working in a place with lots of distractions and papers strewn everywhere. Keeping your workplace does not always have to be a hassle, sometimes all it comes down to is just getting everything but your binder (or in our case, computer) off of the desk. It tends to be easier to even begin working when your work table is in order and you are in a relatively quiet area without things like televisions blasting audio. The area should be brightly lit and shouldn’t have too much food or water near it, which minimizes the risk of your work getting stained or your computer getting damaged. Your work environment can even motivate you to finish work more quickly and neatly.

Managing your time efficiently doesn’t have to be a hassle, and the skills used to manage your time during class can carry over to college and to your adult life. The most important thing is to practice using the above tips as much as you can, and you’ll surely be a master of time management in no time!

By: Samantha Fuzailov