How to Help Your Teens Manage Their Time

Time management is one of the most important skills to develop in high school. With a rigorous academic course load, countless extracurriculars, and the ever encroaching college admissions process, it is one of the busiest and most stressful periods for young students. With that being said, it’s important to equip your child with the know-how and knowledge to stay successful and happy during this time. 

Here are some tips to help your child learn to manage their time. Whether your child is already a strong student or proven procrastinator, they can benefit from streamlining their study habits and learning how to spend time in a smart way. This list includes links to online resources and downloadable apps designed to help students stay motivated and on top of tasks as high school progresses. 

 

Create a To Do list

Have your child keep track of tasks. Whether using a pad of paper or apps, it can be helpful to plot out and visualize everything that needs to be done in a day, a week, or a month. Popular online options for organizing assignments and events are myHomework and RememberTheMilk. 

 

Budget time

In addition to creating a schedule, encourage your child to designate a specific amount of time to each item. There is a such thing as taking too much time on something, even studying for a test. Teaching your child to restrict themselves will ultimately teach them to utilize their time. A physical planner may be helpful. A more digital-friendly option would be an app, such as HabitHub or 30/30, that can help keep track of how much time is being spent on any activity. 

 

Utilize technology

While it’s important to limit your child’s screen time, understand that technology also brings them a wealth of opportunity when it comes to refining study and organizational skills. Programs, like Google Keep and SimpleMind, were designed to help students organize their ideas, craft mind maps, and "see" their thoughts as they come to them, no matter where they are. 

 

Don’t waste spare time

Take advantage of the minutes your child spends waiting for the bus or in between activities. Encourage them to make full use of this time. Apps, like StudyBlue and Quizlet, are a great way to break studying down into bite size chunks so that it’s not an all-nighter before the test. 

 

Limit distractions

Whether this means designating a study space or switching all electronic devices to silent, have your child create a space for studying and homework that is free of distractions. It may be helpful to download a blocking program, like StayFocused or AntiSocial, to keep them from logging on. 

 

Don’t overload 

Allow your child to say ‘no’ to adding on activities or commitments. High school is an important time for your child to develop a sense of what “busy” means to them and understand how much they can handle inside and outside of school. Remind them to take breaks when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. Eye Care 202020 is a great program that helps users rest their eyes after all that screen time. It may also be helpful to use a meditation app, like Calm, to learn how to truly and purposefully relax before/after studying. 

 

Celebrate achievements

Whether your child has finally ticked off the last item on a lengthy to-do list or aced an exam that they’ve been carefully preparing for, be sure to recognize all achievements. No matter the size. Success in high school is the cumulation of a thousand tiny tasks and not just graduation. As a parent, be sure to communicate your approval and celebrate with them through the years. Whether it’s with an ice cream cone or another hour of TV.

 

If you are interested in speaking with one of our Advisors about time management, you can schedule a free consultation here.

 

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For additional information and insights, check out our blog: 

When is a good time to start planning for college? Part 1 

Parenting Advice: How to Help Your Child with College Planning

Versed Guide to Tutoring Services

High School Extracurriculars Simplified