Over the coming weeks, teenagers and their parents will rapidly adapt to the whirlwind of schedules, deadlines and for some, upcoming major examinations. The beginning of every school term is a time of goal-setting and planning. Unfortunately, teenagers with organizational challenges often have a tough time making realistic goals and more so being able to stick to them. Thankfully, there are several solutions and tools that can be used to help keep school, extra-curricular and home lives organized.
Use a planner or diary consistently
A planner is an essential tool for keeping everything that needs to be done in order and to schedule. While there are many beautifully decorated options for purchase, an effective planner can be simply made using a hardcover notebook. By keeping track of things-to-do each day, together with a visual reminder of upcoming things–to-be-done, planners ensure that nothing gets forgotten or slips through the cracks. The act of ticking off completed tasks has a psychological effect of confirming achievement. This in turn has positive effects on reaching for the next item on the list.
If you choose to create your own planner, use one-page-a-week to list all that must be done for that week, and then follow with smaller tick-boxes for daily tasks and upcoming deadlines. Some people find it useful to have a larger calendar in a key location at home, so that everything is visible for the month. Others prefer more bite-sized planners with highlights of major events to come. The key is to find a system that you can maintain and use consistently towards achieving your goals.
Develop a system of filing
Color-coding is an example of a filing system that can help teens stay organized. Assigning a colour to each class or subject is a quick, inexpensive way to organize things visually. Start by choosing a different colours for each subject and using those colour folder to keep past-papers, notes, exam results and other important documents
Keeping your backpack organized is another important but often overlooked tool. Multi-compartment backpacks with two to three large pockets should ideally be used in a predictable way to store textbooks, notebooks and smaller items according to size, so that bits of paper do not get crushed, lost or torn.
Keep track of time
Although more and more we tend to rely on cell-phones to check the time, the long-tested organizational tool which is rapidly being forgotten, is the watch. Watches have the added advantage of not being completely connected to social media and other sources of distraction, while doing the job they are intended to do – telling the time! While cell-phones most certainly have the ability to show the time, set alarms and display stopwatches, we simply cannot ignore the many other functions which tend to lead away from focus and diligent work.
Family involvement
All teenagers can improve their time management and organizational skills with the support and encouragement of their family. Without erupting into argument, young people will need gentle reminders when they fall off track. Scheduling and all such skills should ideally be incorporated into whole-family activities, so that the support and encouragement exist throughout the home. Praise your teen when you note consistent improvements in their organizational skills; and when they require assistance, do so with positive and encouraging words.
Delayed Gratification
An essential part of adolescent development is learning that we simply cannot have everything we want, all the time. We are required to make priorities and complete the necessities of life before engaging in leisure. This indeed is difficult for teenagers to appreciate unless they are so guided by the adults in their lives. Display this behaviour in your homes by completing chores before settling down before the television. Insist that homework and household duties are completed before your teens have the opportunity to interact on social media. By demonstrating the healthy time management behaviour you seek in your teens, you create an environment of productivity from which they can achieve their fullest potential.