“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.”- Stephen R. Covey
Time can be better invested when we are managing it properly. Time Management can be a major challenge for students like anyone else. They not only need to manage their academic tasks, but also their extracurricular activities.
Managing time effectively will help them to:
- Finish tasks within the deadline
- Not to get burdened with many tasks at a time
- Take out time for other school projects or activities
- Enjoy some ‘me’ time or pursue other hobbies
- Give time for lessons that might need more attention
Calendars can become a well-organized system for time management which students can also use effectively. It will help them create and follow a schedule and increase their performance and productivity. From managing daily homework to preparing for exams, a well-maintained calendar can help them finish their lessons on time and so manage everything they wish to do, other than study.
Once they inculcate this habit at an early age, it will become a beneficial habit for life. They will always be able to manage time effectively in their personal and professional lives as they grow up.
Let us take a look at how students can use physical calendars or digital ones (for elder kids) for better time management.
1) Make your to-do list: Based on goals, students can decide on the tasks that they need to execute to accomplish them. These can be daily, weekly, or monthly tasks. Long-term tasks or exam preparations can be broken into smaller tasks that are more manageable.
2) Prioritize tasks: The next important step is to prioritize these tasks as per their class, project, and exam schedules. Taking into account the submission guidelines for projects, and tests lined up, students can decide on the priority of the task.
3) Marking the calendar: For students, it is better to start day by day and hour by hour so that they can focus on different subjects and lessons effectively. They must mention what they intend to do in an hour, and later also check their progress so that they can plan better next time.
4) Break down tasks: Bigger tasks look scary, so students must break them down into smaller manageable ones. If they are able to finish on time, then they can increase a bit the next time.
5) Make it a habit: Consistency and diligence are two important things. If a student starts maintaining a calendar, they must ensure that they follow this habit diligently.
Students can use either a physical or a digital calendar whichever is easier to maintain and sync up with. Physical ones help them to see it every day in front of their eyes, so they know what their routine is. While digital ones can hold a lot of information and are good for reminders.
The activity can be made fun and exciting with stickers, colourful sticky notes, icons, etc. Parents and educators can also help students maintain it properly at home or in school.