High school can feel like a whirlwind of classes, homework, sports, and social events. Add college preparation into the mix, and it’s no wonder students feel overwhelmed. The key to less stress is learning how to best manage your time. And, good time management isn’t just a high school skill; it’s essential for success in college and beyond.
Follow These Time Management Tips for More Structure and Peace of Mind
Here’s a simplified time management system—adapted from the Bright Method—to help you get and stay organized.
Simplify Your Systems
When juggling multiple responsibilities, it’s easy to lose track of things. You might use a notebook for assignments, your phone calendar for events, and your memory for everything else. But too many systems can create confusion. Choose one reliable system, like a digital calendar. When everything is in one place, you can see what’s coming up at a glance and reduce the stress of trying to remember where you wrote something down or even worse scanning your brain to remember something you thought you couldn’t forget!
Make Your Tasks Visual
Ever feel like your day disappears without getting much done? That’s often because tasks like homework or downtime aren’t scheduled. The key is to make all your commitments visible using time blocking on your calendar. Time blocking allows you to set aside time to accomplish your goals. You can start small with homework and club meetings and then add bigger tasks like research papers or an Eagle Scout project. By breaking these projects into smaller bite-sized pieces, you’re more likely to reach the finish line with less stress and on-time.
Plan Weekly
Setting aside 30-60 minutes each week, on a Friday afternoon or Sunday evening for example, allows you to map out what’s ahead. This can include project deadlines, studying, activities and personal time. Weekly planning gives you a clear game plan, reduces last-minute stress, and ensures nothing important slips through the cracks.
What If You Don’t Succeed Right Away?
Time management is a skill that takes practice for high schoolers and adults alike! You may need some support while you’re learning, so don’t be afraid to ask for it. Reflect on why something didn’t work and make the necessary adjustments (add more time, include something you forgot to track).
Why Time Management Matters for College Preparation
Learning to manage time effectively while in high school will set you up for success in college, where you may be juggling classes, part-time work, and social lives without much external structure. Developing these skills now will give you a head start for an even more challenging schedule in the future.
Reminders
• Start small. Plan just one day or one task if a full week feels overwhelming.
• Stay flexible and give yourself grace. Unexpected things will come up. Adjust your calendar as needed and don’t stress about perfection.
• Celebrate wins. Acknowledge when you complete tasks and stick to your plan.
• Use tools you like. Whether it’s a digital calendar or an app like Microsoft ToDo, choose what works best for you.
By adopting these time management strategies, adapted from Kelly Nolan’s Bright Method, you can take control of your schedule, reduce stress, and make more time for the things you love. These habits will prepare you not just for college applications but for a successful future.
Looking for help with the college search and application process? We help students and families through the entire college planning journey – from search, applications and essays to interview prep, financial aid consultation and final school selection.
Contact us at info@signaturecollegecounseling.com or by phone, 845.551.6946. We work with students through Zoom, over the phone and by email.
