How To Manage Your Time Effectively As A High School Student

Practically speaking, it might be impossible to have a perfect set schedule of an hour of extra curriculars, a snack at home, two hours of studying, family dinner, some downtime, and then bedtime preparations daily. Perhaps that dress rehearsal for the school musical caused your child to come home at 8pm on Monday night and they have a huge math test on Thursday – yikes!

As such, I would strongly advise looking at the number of hours spent on extra-curriculars each week and the number of hours studying. If your child needs about two hours a night for his/her current academics and cannot manage more than 30 hours of extra-curricular activities per week, ensure that there is also time for a healthy social life.

While your child gets plenty of interaction with others at school and in certain extra-curriculars, do your best to set aside time for a family meal as often as possible. Every night at dinner might not be realistic for your household, but having the time to catch up and support each other will help make your children feel encouraged and loved, which goes a long way in these critical years of their development.

Additionally, try to encourage your children to hang out with friends each week for something that is purely fun. Hours of collaborative video gaming each day are not going to look impressive on a college application, but at the same time, kids do need time to socialize and a fun Friday night out at the movies, playing board games at somebody’s house, etc. could be the recharge their batteries need to tackle that science project due Tuesday morning!

I hope these tips help you and your child make balanced decisions in the realm of schoolwork and extra-curriculars. Always remember—you own your schedule; your schedule does not own you. Make the adjustments necessary as the recipe for success is neither that of idleness nor of burnout cookies but one of balance.

Without organization, one can very easily fall into the trap of missing appointments, lessons, etc. and that will hinder meaningful progress from being made in extra-curriculars, on top of the stress of having to reschedule classes in a busy schedule. As such, having a central location where your child keeps track of their schedule is vital. For some, a leather Moleskine daily diary works great. Others may prefer to use a daily notepad, Google calendar, etc.

Whatever has consistency and easy access is what works best. While your child may want to use a digital calendar on their phone, I would also suggest having a central family calendar somewhere in the house to note events, so the entire household knows. When I was in grade 8, I once had a horseback riding lesson at the same time my brother had a saxophone recital on the other side of town and with only one family car, you can imagine how it went down. A central family calendar can prevent such incidents from occurring as everyone can communicate.

Productivity Hack: The Pomodoro Technique

One technique we like to suggest is the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique relies on using shorter time intervals with small breaks in between to help maintain focus and avoid burnout. It involves working in focused 25-minute increments, followed by a 5-minute break. After four cycles, you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

By using this technique, you can ensure that you are working efficiently and effectively without feeling overwhelmed. It helps you stay focused and avoid procrastination. You can use a timer to keep track of your work intervals and breaks.

Remember, the key to success is balance. Ensure that your child has time for schoolwork, extra-curricular activities, social life, and personal time. By maintaining a balanced schedule, your child can thrive academically and personally.

Conclusion

Managing time effectively is crucial for high school students. By having a central schedule, using the Pomodoro Technique, and ensuring a balanced lifestyle, your child can achieve their goals and maintain a healthy mindset. Always remember that you own your schedule, and it is essential to make adjustments as needed to achieve balance.