Time Management Suggestions

Managing your time wisely is a hard task for most; this is particularly true for special needs children. Trying to utilize your time the most efficient way can sometimes be hit or miss. Hopefully, these suggestions can help.


1. Take time to plan and organize. Prioritize your time to concentrate the most effort on those items that are the most important. A simple and well-tried method of prioritization is to flag items according to importance by giving them #1, #2 or #3 to get each item done. Setting deadlines for tasks is another way of maintaining focus on your priorities.

2. Set goals. Goals give your life, and the way you spend your time, positive direction. Set goals that are specific, realistic, measurable and achievable. Goals help you focus your efforts to achieving what you want.

3. Keep a calm, structured, and predictable home existence. Have a consistent routine for chores and schedules for meals, homework, bedtime, etc. Routines and schedules help your child accept order and become more predictable. Minimize distractions and provide a place, a time and the tools for a task's completion. Know where to begin, when to end each task. Create a time line or schedule and list all the necessities to help keep you on task: when to get up, when to eat, classes, meals, studying, and others. Be sure that the time is exact; avoid being too late or too advanced.

4. Use a daily agenda book to record assignments and when they are due.

5. Budget your time wisely when you are assigned book reports, term papers, projects, etc. Create a list of steps needed to complete the task and set dates for completing each item. When each step is completed, the student can cross it off. Breaking assignments into measurable tasks makes it easier to complete and you will also do a better job.

6. Use a large calendar (like the one you put on top of your desk as a blotter) to keep track of all your activities. Remind yourself of upcoming tests, projects, and papers. Be sure to record all the important assignments and the dates they are due from your agenda book onto your calendar. You can also jot down when you should start working on different steps of a paper or project. Place calendar on desk or right above your desk so you can see it. Having a calendar is a good visual reminder of the whole month ahead.

7. Use Day Planners to write in all events of the whole day and the time. (Example: When to wake up, eat breakfast, and get to the bus stop; time for major school activities and after-school appointments; and times for dinner, homework, relaxation, and bed. The student can cross the activity off once it is completed. This provides a visual concrete cue identifying completed and upcoming events.)

8. Put schoolwork before play. Finish your homework first, then you can play.

9. Make use of wasted time. The time you spend commuting, standing in lines, waiting for doctors, a ride home, etc. could be used more productively. Study, read, write in your planner, organize yourself, etc. This is an excellent way to use your time more efficiently.

10. Concentrate on one task at a time. Mulitasking is not the answer on how to get things done.

11. Avoid overload. Putting too much on your plate is not the answer and it can lead to stress, pressure, and eventual burnout. Be sure to plan time for breaks, relaxation, eating, sleeping, exercise, socializing, etc.

12. Do not put things off to the last minute.

13. Schedule the most difficult tasks for times when you are alert.

14. Be flexible. At times something comes up (getting sick, computer crashes, etc.) and you have to change your schedule. Know how to rearrange your schedule when necessary so it doesn't manage you - you manage it.

15. Get an early start to your day. You will have more time during the day to do homework and to study which can leave you free time in the evenings to relax.

16. Know when to ask for help when needed. Don’t wait until the last moment to ask for help. When you start to have problems or think you will have problems, ask for help. Trying to figure it out on your own you will waste time. It will be more time efficient to ask for help.

17. To stay on task, control your environment. Do your best to make studying time distraction free so you will not go off task.

18. Study the most difficult subjects first. Putting off the worse until last is only encouraging you to procrastinate and you will get less done. Get the hard stuff done first and you will have a happier rest of the day.

19. Work in short blocks with breaks. Marathon study sessions are not the answer. Studies have shown that the most effective way to get through material is to go through it in smaller sessions and to give your mind and eyes time to rest in between with short breaks.

20. Get enough sleep. Sleep is extremely important. If you are not getting enough sleep you may get sick or your grades will suffer. Remember to schedule yourself an adequate amount of sleep each night to rest and recuperate.