As children move into adolescence, time often becomes a limiting factor in an increasingly busy life. Your responsibilities at home and school increase, your social life expands and many are involved in various extra-curricular activities, such as sports. Learning how to implement effective time management skills is an effective way for adolescents to create a balanced life and get everything done.
Making Lists
Making detailed to-do lists on a daily basis will help minimize overwhelm, and will keep you on track, according to MindTools website. Getting everything you need to do out of your head and onto paper or a computer screen will help you get your thoughts straight. When creating your list, place the most important "have to do" items, such as homework, at the top, and less important "want to do" items, including hanging out with friends, toward the bottom. Break down larger tasks such a homework assignments into smaller manageable pieces to make scheduling easier.
Scheduling
Creating a physical schedule that you can post on a wall or bulletin board will help you stay focused on what you need to do. Write down any commitments you have that are date-related, such as sports games, meetings, tests or project due dates under their respective dates. Consult your list to determine activities to do on a daily basis, and at what times. Try to budget a little more time than you think you will need for most activities. This will help you finish on schedule more often, and will keep your morale and energy high.
Saying No
The ability to say "no" is a skill many people, including adolescents, do not possess. It is normal to want to please your family and friends, but if consistently agreeing to things to make others happy is hindering your own life, you must learn to say no from time to time, according to the University of Pennsylvania. If you have a part-time job and your boss wants you to work the night before a test at school, politely decline and explain your reasons.
Limit Distractions
Once you create your schedule, do your best to stick to it, which means limiting any distractions that will pull you off course. Turn off the television, and close emails and cell phones while you are doing homework or studying. Focus on each task or activity independently and give 100 percent of your time and effort to it, and you will find more than enough time to accomplish all your goals.
Inspect And Examine
From time to time, it is wise to examine your time management system to make sure it is working in your favor. Keep a record of your time spent on school work, sports, home chores and social activities for a week or two, and determine if any of them are out of balance. If you notice you are spending too much time on certain tasks, adjust your schedule to fall in line with your goals and priorities.
