Activities to help you learn time management skills and find balance in your busy life

Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)

Students lead busy lives. Balancing things like school, homework, chores, and sports can be tough. There’s so much to do and so little time! That’s why planning and managing your time is so important.

Writing things down in calendars or planners can help you see everything you need to do. If you have a big task, try splitting it up into smaller to-dos. Decide what you will do first, second, and third before you start, and set aside time for breaks. This can make your work look less scary! To make things more fun, you can even use cute stickers in your notebooks or write with coloured pens.

Remember, many people are still learning to manage their time. You are not alone! The hardest part is getting started. Once you begin, everything will be just fine.

Activity 1: Plan your day with the 1-2-3-4 system

This method can help you keep track of everything you need to do. Photo: Shutterstock

Materials

• notebook or paper

• pen or pencil

• highlighter

Instructions

1. Write the date and day of the week at the top of the page.

2. Fold your paper in half lengthwise and then fold it again. Unfold it and write “1 - easy”, “2 - medium”, “3 - hard”, and “4 - fun or relaxing” at the top of each column.

3. Use another sheet of paper to write a list of what you need to do today.

4. Now, sort your tasks into the categories. The first column is for easy or quick tasks, and the second is for medium-difficulty tasks. The third is for challenging tasks, and the fourth is for fun or relaxing tasks.

5. When you work, pick one task from each column and do them in order: 1, 2, 3, then 4. If you don’t have a task in one column, then skip it and go to the next one. Now, you don’t have to think. Just do! Then cross out each task when it’s done.

Try the Pomodoro Method

Pomodoro means “tomato” and was named after a tomato-shaped timer owned by the inventor of the technique. Photo: Shutterstock

Materials

• timer

• homework

• a sheet of paper

• pen or pencil

• a friend (optional)

Instructions

1. Sit down alone or with a friend. Make a list of tasks to do.

2. Set a timer for 25 minutes. You can use a phone timer, a website, or a plain old alarm clock. Work on one task until the timer rings, then take a break for five minutes. This is one “Pomodoro”.

3. Repeat the steps three more times. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break for at least 15 minutes. Repeat until you have finished your tasks. Make sure to check them off on the list as you finish them. If you get distracted a lot, this method might help you!