Is your homeschooler struggling with time management? Here are a few time management techniques you can teach your student who may be new to homeschooling.
Time management is an important skill set for everyone but it’s especially important to students. Good time management skills help students set priorities for assignments and due dates. It can also help them plan ahead as well as keep students on task. Time management also helps with reducing stress when the workload becomes more rigorous. Time management becomes even more important for students new to homeschooling because procrastination can rear its ugly head when you are at home and not on a brick and mortar schedule. Here are 5 time management tips and techniques to help students stay the course.
Set up a schedule
Rituals and routines are extremely important when it comes to homeschooling. One of the most important tips is to have a consistent schedule. This includes a wake-up time, breakfast, and any other morning rituals. Having consistency helps with organization and planning. Set an alarm to wake up and treat your day like any typical school day. Create a master schedule where your student can plugin or block off time for their classes, homework due dates, and any other important school activities. Color coding the schedule or calendar helps with organization skills. Students can color code by class or days of the week.
Set Goals
Set goals that are achievable. Remember when you are homeschooled your hours may not look like a traditional brick and mortar setting. Your school hours might need to work around your parent’s schedule, or your sports schedule or activity schedule. Setting goals helps you keep your eye on the academic prize of learning and success. An example of an academic goal could be something daily such as reading 10 pages of an academic book or practicing division for 10 minutes a day. If you have a project due, set a goal for completing the project within a certain time frame.
Create a to-do or task list
The ever so wise Benjamin Franklin once said, “Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” This quote rings forever true. If it can be done today, don’t convince yourself that it can wait until tomorrow because tomorrow has its own list of priorities. There is nothing more satisfying than checking off your to-do list! Even if you have a to-do list that cannot be finished in one day, that’s okay, keep it on your list and check if off when complete. Having the visual of your to-do list is a constant reminder that you have a task to do. Another option is to keep track by using a planner. Write in your planner due dates, project dates, computer time, snack time, lunchtime, or any other important items that help you follow a schedule.
Clear the Clutter
Organization is an important skill set not just in education, but in life as well. Not to mention it is a key component to achieving time management. If you are disorganized it is harder to focus. Not being able to find a pencil, forgetting where your passwords are for your online class, not sure where you saved your math homework; all of this leads to clutter and stress, and of course time. It takes time and energy to find all the things. Organize your day by clearing the clutter, this will be a huge time saver. It also helps with peace of mind!
Accountability
One of the many benefits of homeschool is having a flexible schedule. However, too much flexibility can cause a student to lose sight of their priorities. Even with virtual learning or online schools, it’s typically up to the student to monitor themselves and enter the portal or class at the correct time. Find an accountability partner. Whether it’s a parent, a classmate, or even an app to help hold you accountable for your learning. Setting up reminders through Alexa or Siri can help keep you on task and on track. Most home school settings do not have bells or announcements alerting you to head to your next class; having an accountability partner can ensure that you are in class and staying on task.
These are just a few tips to help you teach your new homeschooler time management skills. These skills can help your child throughout high school and beyond.
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