High school is a busy time. Balancing classes, sports, clubs, work, social activities, and other responsibilities can be challenging. When you fall behind, catching up can feel overwhelming. That's why strong time-management skills are so important.
With effective planning and time-management skills, you can stay on top of your responsibilities and reduce stress. Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of your time as a busy high school student.
1. Use a planner or calendar.
Whether it’s a paper planner or an app on your phone, keeping track of assignment deadlines, social activities, work shifts and other responsibilities will help you stay organized. A planner can also help you avoid the last-minute panic of a major project due at midnight by reminding you beforehand.
2. Break down larger projects into smaller tasks.
Large projects and lengthy essays can seem intimidating at first. However, breaking them down into smaller steps and milestones makes it much easier to get started and spread out the workload over several days or weeks.
3. Limit distractions while you study.
It can be tempting to watch TV or play videos in the background while doing homework. However, research shows that students retain more information and perform better on tests when they study in a distraction-free environment.
4. Time-block your day.
Set aside specific blocks of time throughout the day for different tasks. By focusing on one task at a time instead of constantly switching between activities, you'll often complete assignments faster and retain more information.
5. Take regular breaks.
The brain isn’t designed to study for several hours without rest. When you take regular breaks, your mind has a chance to relax and process new information. Taking breaks will also help you remember much more from your study sessions.
6. Get enough sleep.
Teenagers need eight to 10 hours of sleep each night for healthy development, but research shows many get only 6.5 to 7.5 hours on average. Getting enough sleep can improve concentration, energy, and academic performance.
7. Set boundaries.
You don’t have to say “yes” to every club, sport, favor or friendly outing. Overloading your schedule can increase stress and make it harder to do your best. Give yourself room to breathe, recharge and focus on what matters most.
8. Study during your most productive hours.
Everyone's schedule is different. If you're more productive in the morning, dedicate that time to homework and major projects. If you work best in the evening, plan your study time later in the day. Whenever possible, work during your most productive hours while maintaining healthy habits.
9. Take an online course through BYU Independent Study or another provider.
Online courses can provide the flexibility to learn on your schedule and at your own pace. BYU Independent Study helps students balance academics with work, athletics, extracurricular activities, and other commitments. Most U.S. high schools accept BYU Independent Study courses for graduation credit, but always check with your counselor before registering.
10. Build consistent habits and routines.
Each of these strategies can help you make better use of your time, but consistency is what creates lasting results. Choose one or two ideas to start with and build them into daily habits.