The following twelve tips will help teens meet school deadlines and manage their time more efficiently. You may find that these tips help you be a more organized parent, as well!

1. Get a calendar.

  • Pick one and use it. Don’t keep information on multiple calendars.
  • Choose electronic or paper, wall size, desk size, or palm size. Make sure it has enough room to record all the information you need. You don’t want to struggle to remember what abbreviations (BioOL4Eng*) or icons mean later on.

2. Record everything.

  • Include both non-school and school deadlines.
  • Write deadlines down as soon as you find out about them.
  • For big projects, note the beginning and end dates.
  • If a deadline falls at the beginning of a month, be sure to make a note to yourself at the end of the previous month.

3. Commit deadlines to memory.

  • Mentally associate deadlines with dates or events you are likely to remember, such as holidays, birthdays, or other deadlines (your chemistry test is same day as your best friend’s birthday; your summer band camp application is due two days after your history paper is due).
  • Color code your calendar to help you review dates at a glance (for example, blue for English assignments, red for math, green for sports deadlines).

4. Review your weekly and month deadlines regularly.

  • Before you go to bed at night, create a to-do list for the following day. Don’t wait until the next morning. Wake up knowing what you have to do. Tip: for the first task on your list, assign yourself something simple to jump-start your work (something you can do in ten minutes or less).

5. Create a project timeline.

  • For major projects, divide the work into steps. Set realistic deadlines for each step. To do this, take the final deadline and then work backwards. Be sure to include the major milestones on your calendar. Here is an example.
    • February 28: Biography due in American History. (final deadline)
    • February 26: Ask mom to proofread. (one day)
    • February 24: Begin typing paper. (two days)
    • February 22: Begin final draft. (two days)
    • February 19: Begin first draft. (three days)
    • February 17: Review notes from interview; ask Grandpa and Grandma any last minute questions; fact check online. (two days)
    • February 16: Interview Grandpa and Grandma. (one day)
    • February 14: Choose topic for biography paper. (two days)

6. Use spare time.

  • If you know you’re going to be waiting somewhere (for your mom to pick you up after practice or to renew your driver's license), take work with you. Don’t forget any tools you might need, such as a calculator, your calendar, a pen, etc. You’d be surprised how quickly you can read an assignment, review class notes, and knock off a couple items on your to-do list.

7.  Study smart.

  • Do you work better in the morning, in the afternoon, or at night? Adjust your schedule so that you do your most challenging work when you are most efficient and alert.

8. Learn to say no.

  • If you’ve got a final exam coming up, ask your boss for the night off. Tell your best friend that the trip to the mall will have to wait for a few days.

9. Get enough sleep.

  • Did you know that teens need about nine hours of sleep a night to function best? You’ll have a happier day and get through your to-do list quicker if you’re alert—and awake.

10. Face reality.

  • If it’s clear that you aren’t going to make a deadline, let your teachers, employers, and others know beforehand. You are more likely to get a break if you admit to a problem before the deadline rather than after.
  • Be prepared to give an alternative deadline and then meet that one—no matter what.

11. Give yourself a break.

  • It’s great to be ambitious, but you can’t reach every goal every day. Accept that you’re human and do better next time.

12. Reward yourself for a job well done.

  • Whatever that treat is—calling a friend, making a pizza, going for a run, or taking a nap—you’ve earned it.


*biography outline for English

 
 

Sources:

www.timemanagementforstudents.net

www.timemanagementforstudents.net/time-management-skills-for-students.html

www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/116.html