Managing Time Effectively and Efficiently Is a Skill That All Students Need to Work On

Dear Parents,

Managing time effectively and efficiently is a skill that all students need to work on and develop.

One of the ways we are helping our students develop these skills is by providing them with a series of worksheets about Time Management Techniques. These worksheets start with a checklist for students to complete and then work through the essential skills of time management: setting goals, prioritising tasks and scheduling time. It then steps students through ten specific techniques that they can immediately implement and benefit from. Each worksheet explains the technique and lists steps for students to take to start using this technique.

We have enclosed some further information for you about the techniques students will be encouraged to implement. In many of these techniques parents can be a key contributor to helping students become effective managers of time.

Sincerely,

Year Coordinator.

One of the areas we are focusing on in our year group this term is Time Management Techniques. Over the next few weeks we will include some tips that you might like to discuss with your child.

Time Management Tip # 1 Top Five List

A Top Five List is a way to help students focus on what is most important. Buying a small whiteboard that students can keep above their desk is a good way to ensure the list remains fluid. Students use this list to keep bigger pieces of homework or assignments in the forefront of their minds. It is important that the list is kept somewhere visible. Things like upcoming assignments, topic tests and larger pieces of homework are put on the list to help students focus on what work is important.

Time Management Tip # 2 Peak Performance Times

One way to help students improve their use of time is by helping them examine how effectively they use their most efficient or peak working times. Peak times will vary from student to student. Some students will be very alert and focused in the morning whereas others can barely get themselves ready for school. Some students will be able to work later in the evening, but for most the best time to work will be between 4 and 8pm. Discuss with your student how they use their peak performance time. Many students fall into the trap of lazing around when they first get home from school, watching a bit of TV, having dinner, watching some more TV then finally starting their homework when they are already starting to feel tired and sluggish. A better way to make effective use of time is for students to have a snack and a bit of a relax when they arrive home from school, but then to do an hour or so work before dinner. Encourage students to aim to complete as much of their homework as possible before the evening meal. Tape favourite programs that are often in prime time viewing slots (which are also prime time homework slots) and let students watch them later in the evening when they would be starting to feel tired from the day anyway.

Time Management Tip # 3 Time Leaks

One of the most common time leaks is misplacing things or wasting time searching for sheets that are suddenly needed. One way to plug this time leak is to help students organise the space available to them at home. If there is no space for shelving, plastic tubs with dividers in them can be a useful alternative. It is important that they have a space somewhere, clearly labelled, for papers relating to each of their subjects. Some students have another folder they keep at home to file away extra handouts that won’t fit into their school exercise books. A noticeboard or pinboard where they can place important pieces of paper like current assignment information can also be useful. Stackable in-trays where they can keep long-term pieces of work in progress are great if they have room on their desk. A shelf to keep textbooks or stack the school books they are not currently using helps cut down on the desk clutter as well.

Time Management Tip # 4 Not-to-do-lists

Instead of the traditional ‘to do’ list, try creating together a ‘not-to-do’ list. On this list write down all the things students want to avoid when they are sitting down to do schoolwork. Distractions like TV, mobile phones, looking in the fridge, seeing what is in the TV program, and any other time wasters that try and creep in and erode study time. It does not mean these things are never to be done, just not during the time set aside for homework.