Are you not sure how to schedule yourself, or do you feel overwhelmed by your daily to-do list? Don’t worry. All is not lost. No matter if you’re new to online school or you’ve been enrolled for several years, time management is an essential skill you need to master to succeed. In fact, time management isn’t just valuable at Ignite Christian Academy; it’s also valuable to learn for the rest of your life in college or your future career.
All of us have good intentions for organizing our day, but somehow it often all falls apart. Distractions, unexpected interruptions, lack of motivation — all of these can keep you from being a successful online student. Here are a few tips to combat those nasty temptations to waver from what you know needs to be done.
1. Write down your weekly schedule. Separate each day of the week. Write down what you have to do each day and what time slot you will do it. Put this list in a prominent place where you’ll see it every day. This will be a constant reminder to keep on track. For example, have math at 8 a.m., history at 9 a.m., language arts at 10:30 a.m., lunch, science at 12 p.m., and Bible at 2 p.m.
2. Make a unit progress checklist. What units did you get done today? Mark them off each day with a simple checklist. A checklist helps you not only see what has to get done but actually feel good when you finish it! One unit of work should be completed each month, so divide your school days by unit lessons to figure out what to get done each day.
3. Divide and conquer tasks. Do some tasks feel too huge to accomplish? Just like your chores, it’s easier to tackle a to-do list by breaking tasks up into manageable sections. For example, you might have a hard math lesson one day. Divide up the lesson into the morning and afternoon. Have a chemistry project? Split tasks up over several weeks ahead of time, so you aren’t overwhelmed at the last minute.
4. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Decide what you absolutely have to do to finish your daily checklist. Don’t overwhelm your schoolwork with activities that could veer you off course. Concentrate on what matters most, then add fun things later. That means homework first; games, clubs, and sports come second.
5. Remove distractions. It’s hard to resist TV or Facebook if it’s right in front of you. Physically remove yourself from distractions and study in quiet areas where you can focus. Close all other Internet sites while doing online lessons. If you still have trouble, ask parents to make you accountable and track your Internet use to find patterns of how you get distracted.
6. Discipline yourself. Parents aren’t always going to be around to tell you what to do and make sure you do it. You have to be responsible on your own. When you’re in college, no one is going to chase you to get your work done. You have to show initiation and self-motivation to get your school work done. Learn how to direct yourself.
7. Get advice from others. Still struggling? Ask others how they organize their day. Talk to fellow students, your friends or siblings, or teachers and parents. They all likely have their own schedule they have to follow, so see what valuable tips they have for staying on pace. They might have good ideas that will work for you.
8. Add in flexible time. You can’t plan every minute of every day. It is good idea, though, to leave some flexible gap or downtime in your schedule for unexpected things that may come up, like sickness, time to relax, or unplanned responsibilities like chores your parents ask you to do at the last minute.
9. Don’t procrastinate. We all put off doing things we don’t like, but don’t let procrastinating get the better of you. If you have time to do it, do it. Handle it now. You can’t guarantee you’ll have time later, nor can you guarantee if you wait until later you’ll feel better about doing it.
10. Set goals and focus on outcomes. Are you accomplishing what you need to? The only way is to measure your outcomes. Setting personal goals is great, but achieving them with daily practice is what counts. Make steps to reach your goals. Your daily actions will determine who you are and who you will become.
Now you’re armed with these ten tips for time management, so don’t just let this opportunity pass you by! Apply these tips to your schooling at Ignite Christian Academy this next year and see how much more successful you can become as an online student, no matter your grade level.
Remember, time management is managing your life, not a single day. Sometimes a day might get away from you now and then, but consistency in managing your time is key. Establish a routine, and this pattern will help you complete subjects on time and graduate high school on time.
By keeping yourself from falling behind in studies, you’ll enjoy learning much more at Ignite Christian Academy. Plus, you’ll be much less stressed and gain the confidence you need for using time management skills later in life. So go get ‘em! We believe in you.
What time management tips do you have? Tell us what works for you!