When it comes to getting an education, there is a long list of crucial skills that make the difference between success and failure. At the very top of that list is time management, a skill that does not come easily to many children, adolescents, or even young adults.

Fortunately, time management is a skill that can be taught and strengthened. At NPS, we’ve helped countless students learn various techniques that enable them to better manage their time and stress.

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What Do We Mean by “Time Management?”

When we talk about time management skills, we mean the ability to allocate one’s time to accomplish the tasks and goals that are of most importance. For students, this typically applies to schoolwork, but can also affect the ability to maintain a work/school/personal life balance.

Time management encompasses everything from planning to prioritizing and controlling how your student uses their time. At NPS, we teach students how to set realistic goals that can be broken down into small, manageable steps. From there, we help them set aside time to accomplish those tasks or activities. We also work with students to identify time-wasting habits.

Why Time Management Matters for Students

The primary goal of time management is to help students maximize their time effectively. However, there is actually a long list of additional benefits that come with developing this skill. When students accomplish more with their limited time, they typically see improved academic performance. Taking the time to complete assignments, prepare for exams, and stay up-to-date on reading and coursework helps them achieve better grades. It’s that simple!

Additionally, time management skills lead to:

Reduced stress levels
Better career preparation
More free time for hobbies and social activities

Between cell phones, social media, and video games, it’s easy for students to lose sight of their priorities and let vital time slip away. Our counselors specialize in helping students use their time effectively so they can reach their academic goals without feeling overextended.

The best thing about time management is that it has a trickle-down effect. Not only will students experience academic success, but they will also begin to notice a heightened overall quality of life. Managing their educational responsibilities will leave more time for caring for their mental and physical health as well.

5 Time Management Techniques That Make a Difference

For most people, effective time management is not a skill that comes easily or naturally. Thankfully, many of our counselors are specialists in educational issues and have the skills and experience to teach time management to students. Whether your student struggles with procrastination or perfectionism or falls somewhere in between, we can help them see growth and success.

There is a wide range of time management techniques to choose from. When you visit our center, we can give you personalized recommendations based on your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Here are a few examples of strategies we help students implement:

1. Spotting and Eliminating Time-Wasting Habits

There are an infinite number of time-wasting habits (or interruptions) that could be holding your student back. At NPS, we help learners identify those habits and avoid–or entirely eliminate–them. For example, when a student struggles to work around electronic distractions, we recommend limiting the use of social media/video games/news scrolling to specific hours in the day.

2. Reducing Procrastination

Many of our counselors are specialists in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This practice is helpful for students who struggle with the guilt and/or fear of failure that often lead to procrastination.

3. Learning How to Say “No”

For many students, the secret to success is the word “no.” Our counselors are skilled in helping students set their priorities and avoid adding unnecessary items to their workload.

4. Planning Ahead

Never underestimate the power of a to-do list! Once we’ve helped our student clients identify their goals and priorities, the next step is to make a plan for accomplishing the necessary tasks. For some students, this takes the form of an in-depth, itemized schedule. For others, it’s as simple as a list of tasks to cross off.

5. Taking Breaks

This strategy often takes our clients by surprise. A great aspect of time management is that it allows a person to set time aside for rest, relaxation, and fun. Educational success is best achieved when your student makes time for their mind to rest and recover from rigorous tasks.

These are just a few of the techniques we help our clients learn and implement. For more personalized guidance, we recommend speaking with a member of our team directly.

How Time Management Impacts Life After School

The best part of developing your time management skills? They’ll help you find success long after graduation has come and gone. People who have developed their time management skills often find it easier to adapt to work life and may even find greater job satisfaction as a result.

What’s more, time management is proven to have a positive effect on mental health. When you learn to deal with the responsibilities you face, you experience less stress and anxiety as a result. You are also less likely to deal with depression, sleep disorders, workplace burnout, and other mental health issues.

Why You Should Turn to NPS for Educational Support

On top of teaching and strengthening time management skills, our counselors can help students find success in a number of other ways. You can learn more about the educational support we offer by calling our center and speaking to our team. We would love to set you up with a 15-minute meet and greet so you can meet one of our specialists and learn more about how counseling can help you or your student. Call us at (815) 477–4727 to get an appointment scheduled.