Recently I held a workshop to provide students with techniques on how to study effectively. One resounding comment we get from parents each time we do this workshop is that teens do not manage their time well.

This is no surprise.

Time management, like any skill, is learned through experience and observation. Teenagers, like adults, must learn to manage their time. I am a proponent of leading by example.

As adults we have the best intentions when it comes to managing our time. However, we have developed some bad habits.

The lack of accountability is one reason for poor time management. We show up late for events because there is no major penalty. We make excuses and think others should understand -- not realizing the negative impact it has to our integrity and character.

Your teen may see these bad habits and follow your example.

As adults, we send mixed messages to teens when we insist that they manage their time while our actions reinforce bad habits.

Time management means having a balanced lifestyle that helps eliminates the stress that comes from procrastination and being over-active. I will admit that I’m not the expert at managing time, but there are several things that I have learned and committed to over the years that will help you and your teen do a better job of managing time.

Let’s examine a few:

• Take the time to sit with your teen and clearly define what time management looks like. Teens should be able to balance school, social activities and responsibilities at home and still get the necessary rest to function each day.
   
• Talk about areas in your teen’s life where improvements in managing time will lead to positive results. Help your teen to see that effective time management will lead to less stress and greater productivity.
   
• It is not the parents’ responsibility to manage their teen’s schedule. They must learn that failure in this area will not only impacts them but can impact others as well.
   
• Discuss ways how to manage time. For instance, have your teen create a weekly calendar and list every activity she is involved in for the week. This should include fun and relaxation activities as well.
   
• Each day have your teen create a “To Do” list so she can plan her day and check off the items as they are completed.
   
• If your daughter is involved in multiple activities that require transportation, have her become responsible for making arrangements for getting where she needs to be on time.
   
• If your child has a report or project due, help her to carve out time to work on the project each day so that the project will be completed early.
   
• Purchase items that will help facilitate time management not only for your teen but for your household as well. Posting a switchboard, bulletin board or large calendar will allow everyone’s schedule to be visible at a glance, which will help eliminate scheduling conflicts.
   
• Your teen should have her own alarm clock to wake up and get to school on time.
   
• Don’t be tempted to complete your teen’s project or do household chores for them because they claim to be tired or behind.
   
• Teens can be over extended and grades may suffer. If this is the case, evaluate what activities are important and eliminate unnecessary activities.
   
• Part of the problem may be procrastination and prioritization. Too much time may be spent on the phone, watching television, or on the computer.
   
• They also need to understand and experience the consequences when things fall apart because of poor time management.

Instilling good time management skills now will help reduce bad habits that will negatively impact teens as they go off to college, get a job or undertake any other adult responsibilities.Getting your teen to understand the importance of this skill will have lasting benefits.

Macie Caldwell is owner of Macie Caldwell Consulting Services (www.maciecaldwell.org), a Charlotte business that provides information, tools and resources to parents, students and organizations to assist in preparing students early for college.

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