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Brian Kim: Teach kids time management

Top 5 Things That Should Be Taught In Every School

I enjoyed reading this list and was especially into number five:

#5: Time Management

Speaking of other skills that can be utilized in any job and career is time management. The majority of students never really learn to value their time and mange it while in school. Procrastination is all too rampant (studying right before class, doing homework and essays the day it’s due, partying the night before the exam). This lack of time management often carries over into adulthood, which becomes a major liability.

Learn to make a to do list. Learn to prioritize. Learn to break things down into 30 minute blocks of time. Learn about actionable items. David Allen’s GTD system is your best friend here along with Dan Kennedy’s No B.S Time Management. Again if you’re unfamiliar with these people, Google is your best friend, but I’m sure the majority of readers will know what I’m talking about.

What would you add to the list of skills you think should be taught in school?

[ via: Anarchaia (3/14/07) ]

Beth's picture

Time management cannot be taught...

Time management cannot be taught as a subject or handed out with a planner in middle school. Like anything else, if you are trying to teach it in the teen years, it's too late.

My daughter attended a Montessori elementary school where, begining at the pre-K level, kids were given thier assignments for the week or month or year, and left to manage thier own time (with guidance as needed) to complete them. The basic belief is kids learn through doing at thier own pace and in thier own way.

I still remember the tears and frustration when at age 5 she was "stuck" on a "work" (a table for multiplying by 9) for weeks. It wasn't too har, but she was bored with it and it seemed to take too long. She wanted to move on, but couldn't do other math work until this was done. her only choice was to find the time to just do it. She was radiant the day she finally finished it.

Now at 18, she has managed her own college and scholarship application processes. She has tracked all the various requirements for her project/portfolio based graduation so successfully she's considering hiring out to her classmates.

Hardly a Covey/Allen clone, she uses her own hybrid of Covey/GTD and lessons learned in that pre-K classroom to manage school work as well as appointment to dye her hair purple.

There is still late night cramming and last minute work (who doen't have that) but she always know she is in control.

 
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