Title: Manage Your Time Well, Let Every Minute Shine with Happiness!
Date: February 2025
Author: Ms Lee Li Li, Clinical Psychologist
Plan your time well, and let every minute shine with happiness!
Have you noticed? Most middle school students who master time management seem to possess a secret superpower that opens up a happy adolescence for them, where they excel in exams, succeed in clubs, and have fulfilling friendships.
In fact, a happy life comes from personal growth, and life is made up of time. In other words, wasting time is wasting the happiness that life has to offer. Therefore, teenagers should start with time management to enjoy a happy adolescence.
However, time management is not simply about writing a to-do list but recognising the value of your time. When you learn to use time wisely, you can become the master of time, making full use of every moment to balance your academic work and leisure, paving the way for both the present and the future.
Time Management: 3 Major Challenges
1. Procrastination
Procrastination is one of the most common challenges for teenagers managing their time. It causes a lack of motivation, a feeling of being overwhelmed, and a fear of failure. How to overcome procrastination?
2. Electronic Devices and Distractions
The vast array of content on electronic devices can easily cause distractions, making it hard for teenagers to put down, which is another challenge in managing time. How to overcome the temptation of electronics?
3. Unexpected Distractions
Unexpected phone calls from friends, invitations, or even club activities can disrupt our planned schedules.
How to handle unexpected situations?
Use the Pomodoro Technique for Time Management
The Pomodoro technique is as follows:
Repeat the above steps, and you will enter the 2nd Pomodoro, and so on. After 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break, around 15-30 minutes. When we break down tasks into Pomodoros, we can effectively balance academic work and personal interests.
For middle and high school students, developing hobbies is very important. Whether it's art, gardening, camping, hiking, picnics, baking, cooking, playing board games like Clue, Monopoly, or Apples to Apples, knitting, sports, or even activities like walking, birdwatching, or sightseeing, all contribute to a teenager’s physical and mental well-being and help with career and life planning.
Therefore, take action at the start of the school year and master effective time management skills. This will make you more confident and poised to live out your youth and embrace the future!
Q&A with Teacher Lee
Q1: How can I find the learning method that suits me best?
A: You can reflect on your past learning experiences and explore the methods you enjoy, or seek feedback from others to determine your most effective learning style, whether it’s visual, auditory, or hands-on.
Q2: How can I improve the efficiency of taking notes?
A: It’s best to focus on class, jot down key points, and organize the information using words, headings, and bullet points. Afterward, review and revise your notes promptly to strengthen your memory and ensure completeness.
Q3: Why can’t I stick to my study plan?
A: It could be due to a lack of motivation, poor planning, distractions, unrealistic goals, or not fully understanding the study plan.
Q4: How can I balance school, tutoring, and extracurricular activities and create an effective study plan?
A: Find effective time management methods, prioritize academic tasks and activities, and then allocate time accordingly, creating a structured timetable.
Notes: The above content was adapted from “Dreamic High Schools Vol. 35” pages 36 & 37, in February 2025. For further information and assistance, please contact us.
Plan your time well, and let every minute shine with happiness!
Have you noticed? Most middle school students who master time management seem to possess a secret superpower that opens up a happy adolescence for them, where they excel in exams, succeed in clubs, and have fulfilling friendships.
In fact, a happy life comes from personal growth, and life is made up of time. In other words, wasting time is wasting the happiness that life has to offer. Therefore, teenagers should start with time management to enjoy a happy adolescence.
However, time management is not simply about writing a to-do list but recognising the value of your time. When you learn to use time wisely, you can become the master of time, making full use of every moment to balance your academic work and leisure, paving the way for both the present and the future.
Time Management: 3 Major Challenges
1. Procrastination
Procrastination is one of the most common challenges for teenagers managing their time. It causes a lack of motivation, a feeling of being overwhelmed, and a fear of failure. How to overcome procrastination?
- Try breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable parts so we won’t "fear starting."
- You can also try setting specific, achievable small goals for each study session. Starting with small parts or goals gives you a sense of accomplishment, which boosts motivation to complete other goals.
- You can ask others to help identify the reasons for your procrastination and work out solutions. Don’t forget to reward yourself when you complete a task!
2. Electronic Devices and Distractions
The vast array of content on electronic devices can easily cause distractions, making it hard for teenagers to put down, which is another challenge in managing time. How to overcome the temptation of electronics?
- Set specific times to check social media or play video games and never mix this with study time.
- Create a study environment free of electronic distractions, such as turning off notifications and using apps to block distracting websites.
3. Unexpected Distractions
Unexpected phone calls from friends, invitations, or even club activities can disrupt our planned schedules.
How to handle unexpected situations?
- Add some flexibility to your schedule to accommodate unforeseen events.
- Develop the ability to reassess and adjust your plan quickly.
- Learn to prioritize tasks, deciding which can be postponed and which are more urgent.
- Learn to communicate clearly with family, teachers, or classmates, and know when to say no to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
Use the Pomodoro Technique for Time Management
The Pomodoro technique is as follows:
- Set a timer for 25 minutes (adjustable as needed)
- Focus on the task at hand without distraction
- Rest for 5 minutes after the time ends
Repeat the above steps, and you will enter the 2nd Pomodoro, and so on. After 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break, around 15-30 minutes. When we break down tasks into Pomodoros, we can effectively balance academic work and personal interests.
For middle and high school students, developing hobbies is very important. Whether it's art, gardening, camping, hiking, picnics, baking, cooking, playing board games like Clue, Monopoly, or Apples to Apples, knitting, sports, or even activities like walking, birdwatching, or sightseeing, all contribute to a teenager’s physical and mental well-being and help with career and life planning.
Therefore, take action at the start of the school year and master effective time management skills. This will make you more confident and poised to live out your youth and embrace the future!
Q&A with Teacher Lee
Q1: How can I find the learning method that suits me best?
A: You can reflect on your past learning experiences and explore the methods you enjoy, or seek feedback from others to determine your most effective learning style, whether it’s visual, auditory, or hands-on.
Q2: How can I improve the efficiency of taking notes?
A: It’s best to focus on class, jot down key points, and organize the information using words, headings, and bullet points. Afterward, review and revise your notes promptly to strengthen your memory and ensure completeness.
Q3: Why can’t I stick to my study plan?
A: It could be due to a lack of motivation, poor planning, distractions, unrealistic goals, or not fully understanding the study plan.
Q4: How can I balance school, tutoring, and extracurricular activities and create an effective study plan?
A: Find effective time management methods, prioritize academic tasks and activities, and then allocate time accordingly, creating a structured timetable.
Notes: The above content was adapted from “Dreamic High Schools Vol. 35” pages 36 & 37, in February 2025. For further information and assistance, please contact us.
