With life starting to become more normal, most people begin to lose their free time. Life starts to be consumed by school, sports, clubs, extracurriculars, etc. How can you be smart and manage your time wisely without overly stressing? 

Time management is the process of dividing time between activities. 

The first step to time management is to make a to-do list. A to-do list will help you realize how much stuff you need to do and organizes your tasks. When making a to-do list, start with the most critical tasks, and move on from there. After making a list of tasks to complete, a time limit will need to be set for each job so you can stay on schedule and ease your stress. 

A Freshman, Savanna Bradford (9) said, “I manage my time by keeping a planner. I try to get things done a day before they are due. I do find myself procrastinating every once in a while when I have big projects and I am anxious about it.”

When finished with a task, it is vital to take a little break to let your brain rest. Having breaks for your mind and yourself helps to calm down and relieve stress. 

Another way to help with time management is to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. Starting your mornings earlier will increase your productiveness, and it gives you more time to do the tasks you have. 

Studies have shown waking up earlier relieves stress and helps you not be so rushed in the morning. Waking up early lets you be alone and have more quiet time for yourself, helping you be productive. (healthline.com)

A significant step for time management is to put the phone away or turn the phone off. Completing a job will need full attention, and putting the phone down will help keep distractions away. Not using a phone for breaks will cut your time in half because you focus and put in all your effort. 

A helpful tip for managing time is every Sunday; try to plan your week out and put time limits. This can help you transition smoothly into the week ahead of you. Break the week down into daily goals and essential tasks. Every day create a plan for one day and finish the list. Completing the list will help you realize you can be more productive more often. By getting into a routine, it will help incorporate time management into everyday life. 

One last important step for time management is to stop trying to be perfect. People strive for perfection, but then it only creates more stress and uses up time. When trying to be perfect, people worry more and spend more time than needed on an assignment or activity. 

Everyone in the world could work on time management, and these options are just a few ways to help manage time better. What are the ways you work on time management? How do you balance sports, homework, and extracurriculars?