Time Management Strategies for Student Writers

Educate students about the process   without a personal connection, the information doesn't mean much. Begin by discussing with your students what the word "process" means; Ask students to identify examples of "process" from their everyday lives, such as learning to cook or working on cars. Once students have a basic understanding of what the process means to them, explain what the writing process means to you, including the iterative process of brainstorming, drafting, and revising.

Reduce-Reuse Recycle Panic - Panic often stops work. If students get too far behind in their writing, it can be difficult to catch up, which often leads to more panic. To help ease panic, gently remind students that their time is better used to ask for clarification than to struggle. Show students how they can repurpose those pangs of nervousness as positive motivators by providing examples of the writing process. Encourage students to recycle energy spent worrying about writing into actual writing time by setting concrete deadlines.

Set Time Limits  Without firm time limits, student writers may feel overwhelmed. Hours can pass with little writing progress. Setting firm self-imposed time limits remind students they are in control and forces greater focus onto the writing process. If a student knows they have three hours to work on an assignment, show them how to block time: 30 minutes for prewriting; 90 minutes for drafting; 40 minutes for revision; and 20 minutes for proofreading. 

Set Reminders  After you’ve created your calendar, give yourself periodic reminders to stay on track such as to complete a study guide in advance or schedule a meeting for a group project. Knowing deadlines is important; however, staying on top of the micro tasks involved in meeting those deadlines is just as important. You can set an alarm on your phone, write it down in a physical planner, or add an alert to your digital calendar.

Use Tools That Work For You  Just like your calendar and schedule, the tools you use to keep you organized should be the right fit for you. Some students prefer physical planners and paper, while some prefer going totally digital. Your calendar can help you with long-term planning, but most of these tools are best for prioritizing from day to day.

Prioritize  Take just a few minutes to evaluate your priorities. Consider which deadlines are most urgent, as well as how much energy you have. If you're able to complete simple tasks first, try to get them out of the way before moving on to tasks that require a lot of attention. This can help take some of the pressure off your to-do list by checking things off without getting bogged down too quickly.

Make time to have fun  Time management isn't just about getting things done. It's also about making sure you can put yourself and your mental health first. Consistently building time for yourself into your schedule helps balance your mental health and your life. Having things to look forward to can also be helpful when going through a stressful period.

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