43 Folders

Back to Work

Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.

Join us via RSS, iTunes, or at 5by5.tv.

”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

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) ]

Alison's picture

I notice that a lot...

I notice that a lot of people take issue with the "schools should teach..." line, then immediately proceed to "parents should..." replacement. Sadly, some kids don't have parents who either can or will, and I believe it's the responsibility of the state/nation/sociopolitical grouping to ensure that those kids get what they need. Sure, we can complain about lazy or uncaring parents all we like, but in the end the kids are the ones losing out, not the parents.

Anyway, I'd like to add to my points the crucial ones of responsibility, conflict resolution, and consideration. We need to produce kids who'll turn into adults who are not only capable of functioning in the world we've built, but can also make a better job of managing it than we have.

Comments on comments:

Ricky, just a correction there. Nobody was trying to 'force democracy' on anyone. There were other reasons, and democracy certainly didn't, and doesn't, get a look in.

Mike, no, very few students learn critical thinking skills from either maths or history. What they learn is how to integrate certain forms and the names of Australian Prime Ministers, not critical thinking. Yes, there is something very wrong with our system, part of which is that schools have been squeezed for many years, and now have to teach to the test. Another part is the division of curricula into arbitrary subjects, mostly taught via chalk and talk. Any students who do develop critical thinking skills are few and far between.

 
EXPLORE 43Folders THE GOOD STUFF

Popular
Today

Popular
Classics

An Oblique Strategy:
Honor thy error as a hidden intention


STAY IN THE LOOP:

Subscribe with Google Reader

Subscribe on Netvibes

Add to Technorati Favorites

Subscribe on Pageflakes

Add RSS feed

The Podcast Feed

Cranking

Merlin used to crank. He’s not cranking any more.

This is an essay about family, priorities, and Shakey’s Pizza, and it’s probably the best thing he’s written. »

Scared Shitless

Merlin’s scared. You’re scared. Everybody is scared.

This is the video of Merlin’s keynote at Webstock 2011. The one where he cried. You should watch it. »