Section navigation

http://www.girlshealth.gov/

Home

Your Future

Getting organized

Time management (text version)

Time management means organizing your schedule in a way that allows you to get things done in a timely manner, without feeling too overwhelmed or stressed out. Do you have anything in common with these teens on the go?

1. Melissa keeps forgetting about track practice lately. What can she do to remember?

Use a day planner or calendar. Write down schoolwork assignments, meetings, practices, activities, and important events or tasks so you won’t forget about them.

2. Sarah keeps forgetting her math homework. What can she do to stay on track?

Make a “To Do” list. If you have important tasks that need to get done, write them all down and check them off as you complete them. Include deadlines for when they must get done.

3. Kendra went to the mall after school with the girls, forgetting about her English report. When she finally sat down to write her report, it was already 9:00 and she wasn't able to finish it on time. How can Kendra avoid this problem?

Set priorities. Get the most important things done first, then move on to the less important activities. For example, finish your schoolwork before you sit down to read a magazine or watch TV. Hold off plans to go out with friends if you have an important test to study for. Sometimes you might have to give up something fun in order to get something important done!

4. Maria hates history and always leaves her homework from this class until last. Her last history report ended up taking twice as long as she thought it would, though, and she had to miss her friend’s birthday party to finish it. How can she stop this from happening again?

Avoid procrastination. If you can get it done now, do it! Try not to leave things off until the last minute.

And

Plan ahead. If you know you have a big event coming up, make sure you take care of things you need to do beforehand. For example, if you are going out of town the same day you have an assignment due, make plans to finish it and turn it in early.

5. Sherise is feeling very scattered lately, yet she is a smart girl who is very involved at school. She just can’t seem to get everything done. How can she manage her time better?

Use your time wisely. Don’t let time go wasted! Use free time between activities. Tackle your reading assignment on the bus ride to school or to a sports competition. If you are busy after school, try to find time to complete work during the school day (for example, during homeroom or study hall).