"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."
Philippians 3:12
Time Management
It’s not about having time, it’s about making time.
Life is busy and we often feel like we don’t have time to get everything done that we need to. However, there are certain techniques that you can use to help you manage your time more efficiently.
If we delay completing work and fail to plan our time, the work will build up until we cannot achieve our targets and meet deadlines. This has a powerful impact on self-esteem, confidence and our mental health. On the other hand, planning homework and revision tasks, will allow you to feel confident, relieve stress and help you to enjoy free time more.
What do I need to know about managing time?
The statements in the questionnaire are a clear guide about what you need to achieve. However, if you need more guidance in achieving perfect time management, use the steps below to help:
- Write a “To Do” list. Check your Teams account carefully before doing this.
- Put each item on the list in order of importance. Check deadlines when doing this.
- Use a timetable grid to plan when these tasks will be done.
- Set realistic time scales.
Creating a timetable.
Begin by creating a timetable to use at home. You need to ensure that you plan for both time to work and time to relax and that you are realistic in your goals.
Below is a link to a template that you could use with an example of how to complete it. However, creating one in Outlook or on your smartphone might be more helpful as you can set reminders. There is also further guidance about how to create a timetable that you will be able to stick to.
How do I stick to my plans?
You might be skilled at planning, but not so effective at sticking to them. Below are some “Dos and Don’ts” that might help you to improve.
Do
- Use a timer to gauge how long you spend completing tasks Be realistic when creating your plan
- Look ahead at deadlines to ensure you have time to ask for help or address mistakes Reward yourself when you achieve a target on your plan
Don’t
- Plan to compete tasks the night before they are due. Overload your social calendar however tempting.
- Have your phone next to your when you are studying. This will slow you down! Plan to study late at night or without breaks.
- Leave the most difficult task until last.
Most importantly, know yourself. If you study better after lunch put study slots in the afternoon during the weekend. If you work better on your own, avoid study groups. The more you understand about your strengths and weaknesses, the more you will be able to stick to your schedule.
If you think you still need more advice and guidance, use the links below for further support.
Guide to Creating a Revision Timetable
Staying mentally healthy during exam time (Young Minds)
As we head towards the main exam time it's worth revising how we can support young people at what can be a very stressful time.
Young Minds have a series of support pages aimed at help with exam stress and anxiety. Their advice is available to help parents and carers, and of course, young people themselves. You can find this helpful advice at the links below: