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Time Management

What is time management? According to Psychology Today, “Time management is the ability to plan and control how you spend the hours in your day to effectively accomplish your goals. Poor time management can be related to procrastination, as well as problems with self-control.”

We want you to achieve your goals to the best of your ability at La Cueva. Time management is a very important tool to be successful. This is a very exciting time as you are becoming more independent. However, with independence comes a lot of responsibility. We all learn differently and you must figure out how you learn best and what works for you; but no matter what your learning style is, we all share some common needs with time management. Every student needs to be savvy when it comes to organization. Organization is going to be key to your success!

How can you be organized?

  1. Use your agenda: Write down your assignments and include the due date in every class. If you don’t have homework you should even write that down. Some examples of what people do when they complete an assignment are: checking it off or highlighting it. Students who don’t write it down usually forget and start to lose track of all that is happening in each class. If you don’t write it down, you will forget. Our brains cannot remember that much information. Be specific when writing down each assignment. In addition, to your agenda, you probably should have a to-do list for all the other activities you are involved in.
  2. Manage your cell phone: Know how your cell phone affects you. Some students need to put the phone away while doing homework, others may need to turn it off completely or have a set time they use it when doing homework. If it is too distracting, you may need to tell your friends your cell phone schedule.
  3. On a block schedule: The homework you get that day, you need to do that day or you will get behind. This allows for the following: time to ask questions the next day if you don’t understand something; if you have a lot of homework the next night you won’t be stressed out; and it will allow you more time to complete your work. Make time to study every night.
  4. For projects and essays: Write these down in your agenda. Also, they should be written down on a priority list to help you track everything you need to accomplish. Make a timeline for completing these special projects. You will be more successful if you give yourself time to work on these special projects.
  5. Use every minute efficiently: If your teacher gives you time to work in class, you should use that time wisely. For example, in the counseling office, many of our aides use their time to do homework, while others use that time to socialize. It is important not to waste time. Most of the time there is something productive you could be doing. For example, reviewing notes for upcoming tests.
  6. Balance: It is important not to take on too much! You need to make sure you have time for family and friends. This is a very important part of being successful.

Final thought: These ideas will help you be responsible and efficient with time management, creating more free time!

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