DOES YOUR TEEN HAVE TIME?

Students have a lot of pressure on them. The age of the “Rona” makes it even worse, I feel. If you have a teen as I do, the most constant complaint is that of time.  

Well, she RATHER do “fun things” instead, but we are trying to work on more efficient time management.  Anyone with me? 

I allow a short break after-school before I offer gentle reminders to get on it. 

Here’s where my teen falls short: Some of her friends start their homework later, so they're usually available right after school for a few rounds of Roblox, or this is when they are commenting on whatever “T,” and multiple group chats.  An hour goes by. However, when they're busy and my daughter texts them, there's radio silence.  It seems only my daughter feels she has to be available all day to not "miss out." 

Hmmm. Don't get me started on this topic, it'll bring me back to many, many heated discussions with my ex-husband who had the same debilitating issue: FOMO (fear of missing out). 

Anyway, responding to said texts if she decides to multi-task while doing homework distracts from the assignment another 10, 15, 20 minutes of solid work time. 

Did I mention we do have extra curricular activities during the week? Oh, she also wants her entire weekend off. So, staying on task kinda is a no brainer.  But that's just me.

Uh, we also have an issue with the constant changing of playlists to listen to while working. Add worrying about what is due weeks from now or trying to complete assignments due weeks from now. Not ideal, and it's unnecessary stress.

 We’re working on what is imminent, as in by 11:59 TODAY? Then, what is due by tomorrow? If you finish today's work early, at a reasonable hour (7-8-ish?) pick one of tomorrow's subjects to chip at.  If you can finish it before bedtime—great, if not, at least you started.  

There is enough time in the day. 

When I have a long checklist, I estimate a time limit for each task. That way, if something is running over what I set, I know answering a phone call, or checking FB at that moment, is not a good idea. 

With my daughter, I’ve suggested that the phone be placed face down and in another location. The music needs to be in the background enough. 

Another suggestion is that she practice piano after each assignment. Piano is an art she LOVES, so it's always welcome. Two birds with one stone there.

I’ve also come up with some fun things like using sticky notes to create her timeline.  We watch those cooking shows like Chopped.  After each round, the chef whose food with the least amount of points loses. I had a piece of wood that I simply drew “Due Today” and “Due Tomorrow,” on one edge.  At the top I wrote, “Who is on the chopping block?” She posts her sticky notes on the board and chops at the assignments accordingly. 

Make a list

Prioritize

Set time limits to stay on task

Allow short breaks

Use fun tools like colored pens, sticky notes, scented erasers.  

Do you have any neat tricks to help your teens approach assignments and their time more efficiently? 

Do share.

Thanks for being here.