Time Management

Sonal studies in class 7. She is very fond of watching television and playing video games. Every day, after school she gulps down her lunch and settles down in front of the television, watching her favorite shows until evening.

Her mother keeps scolding her, 'Sonal, all this TV viewing is unhealthy. You hardly spend time with us. You don't devote enough time to your studies. You don't go out to play. I am extremely concerned about your grades.' 'Don't worry, Mom. I will manage my studies just fine', said Sonal confidently.

Sonal never monitored the time she spent playing video games or watching television. She would stay up late into the night to complete her homework. Not surprisingly, she would wake up late the next day and rush to the school bleary-eyed.

Sonal's teachers kept issuing warnings to her parents that they should curb these activities but nothing helped. Her mother was at her wit's end. Sonal was left unperturbed. She would think, 'There is still a month left for my examinations to begin. Even if I start studying two weeks before the exams, I will be able to complete the syllabus. I will even have enough time to revise." The weeks passed and Sonal continued with her usual routine. Soon there were two weeks left and then one to the examinations but Sonal was yet to start her preparations.

Just a week before the examinations, she sat down to study. She planned her schedule such that she would have to stay up through the night.

Halfway into her preparations, Sonal began to panic. She tried to stay awake through the night but fell asleep just after midnight. The exhaustion from the nights of staying up had taken its toll. She was extremely upset when she woke up in the morning. 'How could I have fallen asleep? I have so much work to complete, she thought.

Sonal studied with intense concentration for the next two days but to no avail. She realized the remaining time was not enough and regretted not having started her preparations earlier. She rued the fact that she had not studied regularly. 'I should have listened to my parents and teachers.'

Sonal was unable to go through her entire syllabus and when the results were declared she was not surprised to discover that she had barely passed. She was upset but knew that she had brought it upon herself. For the next time, she resolved to never let this happen again and promised herself that she would prepare in advance.

Sonal got herself into trouble because she did not practice the art of time management.

Time management means learning to make the best use of our time so that we can achieve our goals.

How does effective time management help us?

*It helps to reduce our stress.

*It helps us to get more things done.

 *It helps us to produce good quality work.

*It leaves us with spare time to pursue other interests.

 You could follow these tips to help you manage time effectively:

*Prepare a list of tasks that are to be completed. Create daily or weekly to-do lists. Follow them religiously.

*Break your big tasks into smaller manageable ones. Devote your energy to one task at a time. For example, if you have to complete your Science syllabus then start with one chapter instead of trying to read a little bit from all your chapters simultaneously. Plan your day in advance. Ensure you have time for rest and recreation.

*Avoid distractions, such as the television, the computer, or the telephone, while engaged in a task.

*Keep your surroundings organized and clutter-free so that you do not waste time searching for anything.

*Take short and frequent breaks.

*Get enough sleep.

It is important to learn the skill of time management. It makes us happier and enables us to lead a successful and stress-free life.