How to Use a Homework Planner, part 2

Start with part 1:Basic Planner Skills: Success Through Organization.

So far, so good. You’ve decided not to ignore your assignments. You’re filling out your planner and willing to check that work is complete. Your head is clear of mundane details. And, long-term work is divided into manageable tasks. Congratulations! You have accomplished all of the planner basics.

Now you’re home from school and feeling free, but can’t seem to shake that nagging sensation that something is hanging over your head.

Advanced Planner Skills: Making the Most of Your Time

Tick-tock

You know you will learn more and perform better in school by working through assignments, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. If you’re motivated enough to take out your planner and turn to today’s date, here’s a solution that can help:

If you’ve been in the homework business for a few years, you’re highly qualified to estimate how long different types of tasks will take. Even if you’re not certain, give it a whirl; the more you estimate, the more accurate you’ll get at these three steps:

Alongside each planner entry, write the number of minutes you believe a homework assignment, project chunk, study task, or extracurricular event will take.

Beginning with the time you get home from school, determine the number of minutes until you go to bed (3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. = 360 minutes).

Now subtract your academic and extracurricular time from this number and write it in your planner. That’s how much free time you have to hang out with friends, eat dinner, take a shower, send text messages, etc.

The question is, how do you want to spend your free time? The choice generally comes down to:

• Procrastinating (also known as, “my how time flies when I avoid homework”) or
• Having fun.

If you chose “fun,” go to the head of the class and read on!

Stick to the Plan

Your next job is to decide when to work and when to play. Consider your energy levels, ability to focus, attitude, and frustration at different times of day. Take weather, daylight hours, and need for exercise, relaxation, food, and social interaction into account.

Once you determine work and play time, stick to the plan. If the day’s program didn’t feel right, or if you wandered aimlessly and failed to stick to the plan, no need to beat yourself up. Just give it another shot tomorrow.

Time management is part of the learning process. Keep experimenting with different approaches until the formula is right for you. If you refuse to give up, and use your planner wisely, you’re sure to find the best way to manage your own time. The more you practice, the more in control you will be over your personal life and school career.

Lastly, remember to put finished work into a folder or binder that’s going back to school. You can then mark it as complete in your planner, and get the credit you deserve!