As children grow and progress into the teen years, the pressure grows on parents to try to prepare those precious teens for adulthood. Although there are many critical skills that high schoolers need to learn, time management is probably one of the most critical. And, to truly learn time management, teens need the right tools.
5 Reasons to Use a High School Planner
Here are a few reasons why a planner is a vital tool for helping teens establish good time management skills.
The Big Picture
There is a lot going on in the high school years. School continues, but it becomes much more essential to keep track of due dates and projects on a more independent level. Many teens add jobs into the mix, and there is also the consideration of what comes next. Preparation for the future—whether it be college, an internship, an apprenticeship, or any number of other options—requires intentionality. A planner helps students keep track of all of these big picture prospects while also maintaining the freedom to stay on top of the day-to-day demands.
Relationships
High school is often the time when teens stretch their wings and begin to engage in more activities on their own, away from the rest of the family. This is a great thing, but it can also put a strain on family relationships if it’s not handled well. When planner usage is strongly encouraged throughout the high school years, coordinating personal and family schedules becomes a much easier prospect. Students can see clearly what time slots they need to block out for family activities and when they are free to pursue their own interests.
A Healthy Life
Teens are notorious for bad habits. Procrastination. Too little sleep. Overcommittment. All of these habits lead to a very unhealthy life in every way. In turn, they set students up for unhealthy patterns in adulthood. Planner usage can help them break down the amount of time necessary for school, work, and other non-negotiables. This, in turn, allows them to see where they need to maintain margin, schedule times of rest, and create reminders for exercise and other healthy habits. Making this a priority in high school sets a great pattern for entering adulthood.
Graduation Time
Any parent of a senior knows just how many details are wrapped up in graduation time. No matter what the next step is, there is necessary information that must be remembered or found in order to finish high school well, process through graduation, and move to the next step. This season is so much more easily tackled when a planner has been used every year and held onto for reference. Planners help keep track of volunteer hours, deadlines, and other miscellaneous details. For homeschoolers, planners can house grades, test scores, and other vital information for transcripts and applications. Graduation demands a great deal of balance. Planners help create that balance!
A Solid Future
Progressing from high school to adult life is a big step, and there is a whole new world to tackle. Too often, teens wait until this moment to suddenly choose to “become adults,” trying to take a crash course in the skills needed to navigate adulthood well. High school students who have learned to manage their time well before reaching adulthood are much more likely to enjoy a smooth transition than those who are scrambling to catch up. Ultimately, this sense of preparation is the most compelling reason to adopt a solid time management system and establish a habit of planning.
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High School Transcript & Checklist
High school can be a bit intimidating for homeschool parents. But, with a little intentionality, it can actually be the most enjoyable years of your homeschool career. The High School Transcript e-book provides the resources you need to be intentional about recording your student’s grades for a transcript, ensuring that you have the tools you need to help your student progress well through high school and beyond.
