Back to school in 3 Steps

STEP 3—Time Management & Reflection

Foundation to the Captain’s Path   
 

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how good your desk looks, how well organized your files are, or how carefully tasks and routines have been optimized, if you lack focus and discipline it doesn’t matter. If you never follow the structures you’ve put in place, it’s the same as not having them.

The core of most student underperformance is poor time management. Without the ability to strategically execute your work throughout the week, while maintaining all other aspects of life, you are doomed to a repeating a cycle of lastminute cramming to beat deadlines. Same goes with rushed studying for tests or essays. A simple, clear system that breaks time into blocks, and chunks work into doable sessions, over multiple days, yields the highest quality work, on time, for the least stress.

Time managements is the critical element of all executive functions. The organizing of space, tasks, & routines are steps you must execute, but this one controls them all. Think of time management as the conductor of an orchestra. If the musicians aren’t playing in order, there is no symphony.

Reflection

Executive functions take time to learn and implement as habits. To be truly effective they will need adjusting. The less obvious, but important practice of reflection, or “metacognition,” through journaling, reveals the tweaks you’ll want to make along the way.

Regular journaling is the best way to develop metacognition—the ability to think about your own thinking. A written journal is a simple format and—side benefit—it improves your writing! I prescribe having some personal time each day, a private meeting with yourself. It’s the perfect time to journal.

Get more details on executive functions. My videos are on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@ErikAmin

 My new book, Executive Functions: Blueprints for Student Success—drops in September. It’s a practical manual with more details and practical tools..

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
― Ron Watmough