Taking time to figure out how to juggle it all can be tough. If people had time to spare, they wouldn't need to think about how to manage it in the first place.
How do some teens find time to volunteer, star on the basketball court, baby-sit, and get great grades while others get queasy at the thought of starting that project that was assigned three weeks ago? Teenagers know they should be out there doing all those extracurriculars that will make their college applications stand out. They also know they want time to enjoy their teen years. But knowing isn't enough. Figuring out time management is worth the trouble, says Dr. Estela Lopez, retired Vice Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System. "The balancing act is a skill you will use all your life – in college, when you have a family, and in your career." Here are five easy tips to help teens manage their time better:
Prioritizing
People really can't do everything, and shouldn't feel like they have to. Studies come first. Beyond that, teens should pick the things they truly care about. Teens can start by limiting themselves to two after-school activities a week, or whatever comfortable (but no more than one a day). Teens should feel free to try new things, but shouldn’t say yes to every opportunity that comes their way.
Having a System
"You'll be amazed how much time is gained when you don't have to search for your stuff, or when you know exactly what your plans are ahead of time," explains Jessie Morgenstern-Colon, teenaged co-author of the book Organizing from the Inside Out for Teens. It helps to organize everything—from homework assignments to soccer cleats – the night before. Morgenstern-Colon also suggests having – and sticking to!-- a color-coded schedule for every day of the week. Penciling in time for food, friends, and fun is important, too. "Reward yourself [for sticking to your schedule and meeting your goals] by going to the mall with a girlfriend or watching a movie," suggests Lopez.
Just Doing It
Sometimes teens get nervous about all the things they have to get done, and end up spending two hours IMing instead of working. Then people stress about how now they really don't have time to finish anything, which just leaves them feeling anxious and drained. In other words, procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles to good time management. It takes will power to stop this cycle, but doing so will make each day go a lot smoother. Teenagers need to learn not to spend time and energy stressing over how they have no time—just do what needs to get done.
Taking Care of Oneself
Yawning during class. Glazed eyes at the dinner table. Inattention at soccer practice. Chances are that teens like this are not taking good care of their bodies. The Diet Coke and Milky Way bar at recess may give teens a momentary boast, but they'll actually make a person feel worse in the long run. Those late night cramming sessions also take their toll.
Sometimes teenagers think "I already don't have enough time to do what I want and need to do, and you want me to take more time to eat and sleep?!" But the fact is that teens feel sharper and more energetic – in other words, are able to do more stuff in the same amount of time—when they give their bodies enough rest and the right kind of fuel.
Making it a habit!
Sticking to a schedule can be tough at first, but it's worth the trouble. After about three weeks of following a time management system, it will become second nature.
