Searcy (LP) Time management is a very important topic in many schools. Most students don’t get much of sleep and sleep in class or through many classes. It’s hard to be successful without enough time in the day to do anything. As a high school student you spend eight hours at school. With natural body habits and normal body functions you spend approximately six hours eating (with preparation) and personal care. As a teen you spend around one-two hours doing homework. So not counting sleep that is sixteen hours already spent. Most teens also have after school activities or education which is about an hour to two hours. Alexis Bottoms, Junior and softball player at Searcy High School, states “On a daily basis I only have about 30 extra minutes.”
Teens often over work and over book themselves. Seniors are expected to figure out what they want in life with parents, teachers, and colleges pushing them in all directions. Juniors are supposed to prepare for the next year and work on test scores while also doing the basic school activities. Sophomores are expected to show the freshman around and let them know the ropes of high school even though they haven’t been there long themselves. At last, Freshman the newest generation of high school students. Freshman are expected to adapt and be ready for what is coming later on. Alexis commented “I manage my time by need and leaving study time.”
Scheduling and managing your time can help you and others. If you have a job or school there are deadlines and other people counting on your views or work. Having issues in time management can cause chaos and organization problems. Alexis added “If I get stressed out it because of time management it makes me aggravated and affects everyone around me.”
Expectations of other people push you to change plans or get a crowed scheduled. With the expectations of other people students are pushed and broken into pieces. Each piece does a different thing many students are expected to know what they want, how they are going to do it, why they want it, and when they are going to take a new step. However, Expectations and deadlines are not only for teens Sylvia Cleveland, Secretary in the Searcy High Guidance Office, said “I plan my day by knowing what I have for the day and planning around my deadlines.” Mrs. Silvia recom
mends using a calendar or planner. Here are some good ways to better manage your time
- Carry a schedule to record thoughts, conversations and activities.
- To-do lists
- Plan to spend at least 50 percent of your time engaged in the thoughts, activities and conversations
- Schedule time for interruptions
- Take the first 30 minutes of every day to plan your day or check your plans for the day
- Practice not answering the phone just because it’s ringing and e-mails just because they show up.
- Disconnect instant messaging.
- Schedule a time to answer emails and return phone calls.
- Block out distractions
- Remember that it’s impossible to get everything done
