Teaching students time management skills is crucial to helping them succeed in school and life. Share these tips with kids to help them organize their day and use their time efficiently all year long!

1. Always give yourself at least 10 minutes longer than you think you’ll need to get ready or get somewhere. Try setting your watch or clock a few minutes ahead.
2. Make a “Do not disturb” sign to hang on your door or desk for those times when you really, really need to concentrate.
3. Chunk it up! Do your reading and studying in chunks. Divide a book or long chapter into smaller, manageable chunks and schedule time to complete each one.
4. Determine the times of day when you think the most clearly, feel the most creative, or have the most energy. Then, plan your day’s activities accordingly.
5. To help you complete an important task on time, ask your parent to plan a reward for you when you finish it, such as a special meal or a movie night.
6. If you’re having trouble starting a task, set a timer for 10 minutes and tell yourself you can stop the task when the timer goes off. (You’ll likely continue.)
7. Don’t waste time trying to study or work when you’re super tired. That time would be better spent sleeping so you’ll be refreshed to resume your work the next day.
8. Give yourself at least 3 minutes of calm-down time before starting a difficult task. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths to relax.
9. If you finish a task early, use the remaining time to read more about the topic. Find at least one thing to share with others.

For more time management tips, plus tips to help kids organize their space and their thoughts, check out Real Organized In a Jar^®: Helping You Get It All Together.

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