It’s Time for the Time-Management Two Step

Another school year in the books, and this year was one for the records.  Many of us can remember feeling completely overwhelmed in March and counting the days until our children were on Spring Break, and then…

Students were asked to become masters of time management when classes went online. Schools responded to distance learning in a variety of ways.  Some schools developed schedules that allowed students to remain on top of their time management and work completion.  Other schools met infrequently, put assignments online without enough direction, and tasked students with figuring out how to get everything done. We will all agree that distance learning was a huge learning curve, for some too huge, but the basic premise for what was necessary to succeed is not difficult. 

 The important take away for everyone is that there are two steps to time management success.  First, you need to estimate how long a task will take and then you need to figure out when you have the time that you believe is necessary to complete it.  Assignments that include multiple tasks should always be spread over multiple days. 

It’s two basic steps:  

time estimate + time scheduled to complete the task = success. 

For some students, the understanding of time management comes naturally; for others, it is something that needs to be learned if they want to feel in charge of their work and life.  When students are given assignments, they need to consider when the completed task is due, the time that is available to complete it, and an estimate of the time it will take to complete it.  The time they have and the time they need must match, or they are in trouble.  The trouble usually occurs for students with executive dysfunction because they look at something that is due in the future, determine that they have ample time to complete it, never make a plan for when they should begin, and forget about it or avoid it until it is almost due or overdue. 

The demanded independence of distance learning forced time management, and students saw how much easier life became if work was planned and executed while there was ample time available.  In fact, when properly time managed, tasks not only get completed, they are actually done well and get the grades that are deserved. 

The end of the 2020 school year has offered students the gift of truly understanding their time management awareness and skill.  It’s given everyone a better understanding of why good time management is vital to well executed work and quality of life.