Top 10 Tips for Time Management

Provided to you by current Keystone Students. This is how THEY

stay on track!

Keep your “school area” organizedBookshelves or other

organizational tools can help you know where everything is!

Use one shelf per class – one for English, one for Math, one for

Science and so on.

Keep your books there, your notebooks, pens, paper and any other

supplies for that course.

Make sure to put everything away on the right shelf every day.

If a bookshelf isn’t available – get creative. Boxes, milk crates or even

different sections of the floor work as long as you keep it organized!

Keep your files all in the right places

Digital organization is also important. Here are two suggestions for keeping your files in the

right places:

Create a different file for each course on your desktop. Save all of your work

for that class there.

Invest in a flash drive for each course and save all of the material there. Make sure to label them so you know where to find your assignments.

Create a plan for each day

You need a roadmap in order to get where you want to be. Every night before you finish up or first thing in the morning, create a list of items that you plan on completing.

Today’s To Do List: Algebra 2 – complete section 2 quiz

American History – Read final section about the Civil War and do discussion board post

English 2 – finish reading novelBiology – Set up and complete Lab 1

Write down your plan

Writing your tasks down helps you remember what you need to do and helps you see the progress as you cross items off! A white board is the perfect tool.

• Write down what you have to work on for each subject for one week (or even one day).

• Use different color markers to signify different courses or use the different markers to mark an assignment as complete, in progress or not started.

• If you don’t have a white board, any piece of paper will do!

Cross things off as you complete them

At the end of the day, your list should look similar to this. If it doesn’t, then you may need to spend some time in the evening or weekend

to catch up!

Today’s To Do List: Algebra 2 – complete section 2 quiz

American History – Read final section about the Civil War and do discussion board post

English 2 – finish reading novelBiology – Set up and complete Lab 1

Have someone hold you accountable

• Mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, neighbor, friend – it can be anyone!

• Have them check in with you at regular times (daily, weekly, it is up to you) and ask you these questions: – Are you on track with your schedule? – Show me or tell me about what you are

working on. – Let’s look at your grade book together.

Limit as many distractions as you can

Distractions can be external (other people, phones ringing, television) or that of our own making (surfing the web, taking a nap, turning ON the television).

• Set up your school area away from other people, phones and TVs (as well as other distractions).

• Let your family know when you are working so you don’t get interrupted.

• Allow yourself time to do the things you want – during your break time or after you are done for the day.

Take short breaks as needed

Breaks are necessary to being productive, but the key is to keep them short. Here’s an example of how breaks should be worked into your day:

Classwork – 9-10:55Break – 10:55-11:05

Classwork 11:05-12:00 Break for lunch – 12:00-12:45

Classwork – 12:45 – 2:00Break – 2:00 -2:10

Classwork – 2:10-4:00

Use a timer if you find yourself getting distracted

Classrooms have bells, but maybe your classroom at home doesn’t. If you need a reminder about how much time to spend on your class or how much time you have for a break – use a timer!

Celebrate when you reach your goal!

We need to recognize the small and the large tasks that we complete. When it is a smaller task, take a few minutes to jump up and cheer. When it is a larger task, find a way to celebrate in way that works for you. See some ideas on the other side of the page!

Here are some suggestions: • Get up and

stretch. While you are at it, go for a short walk!

• Take 10 minutes and go to a website you really enjoy.

• If you are all caught up, take a day off of school.

• Do something that says “celebrate” to you!