I spend a lot of time reading about the struggles of time management, I see it everyday with my own children – the students of today have a fully-packed day! And so do their parents. I have included below some thoughts based on information I found from a school district in British Columbia. Nothing really new here, but it is always good to have a list of the best practices so both the student and parent can start the year off on the right foot.

Time Management for High School Students

Goal: To be in control of my time.

High School students are some of the busiest people in the world. To get the most from all you do, you must be in control of your time. Each minute is MIGHTY! Avoiding procrastination and using your spare minutes wisely, makes each day a little easier.  

Your success in high school depends on your use of time. While you probably have no control over when your classes are scheduled, you do have control of the rest of your time. Here are some important things to remember.

• Begin each semester by filling in a master schedule. First fill in things you must do (classes, work, practice, etc. that you can’t change). Then, analyze the blanks you have left to find the most effective use for these times.

• Establish a regular time and place for study. This will save you time in the long run because you will have “programmed” you mind that “this is the time and place that I study.”

• If you have a study hall during school. USE IT! 

• Use daylight hours to study whenever possible. For most people for every hour of study done in daylight hours, it will take them one and a half hours to do the same task at night.

• Keep a date book and write down all class assignments.

• Take breaks. Don’t schedule a marathon study session. Several short 50 minute sessions are better that one long session.

• By using flash cards or summary sheets, you can use odd times to study — while you’re waiting for class to start or for a friend to pick you up.

• If possible, schedule study time with a partner. *Choose your partner wisely, however. Make sure you study, not socialize. If you schedule this just like you would soccer practice, or music lesson, it will become routine.

• Schedule the most difficult tasks for times when you are alert. (Algebra may be hard enough when you’re fresh. When you’re tired, it will be impossible!)

• Make a daily checklist. Set priorities. Do the most important tasks first.

Information based on: Coquitlam School District – British Columbia