Managing your Time and Money Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialist

Time Management Things you likely already know, and simply aren’t doing…

How are you using your time? Each of you were given a piece of paper. On it, approximate the time you spend per day on each of the following tasks: Sleep School Extracurricular activities Meals Studying Relaxing (alone) Socializing (with friends, via text, social media, etc) Other What uses the majority of your time? Where do you see wasted time?

Are you using your time wisely? We all manage our time –some just do so more effectively than others. What is keeping you from being productive? Procrastination? Forgetting assignments? Not enough time? Getting distracted? What are you doing that works well?

Calendars Paper Electronic School agenda Planner Blank template How detailed do you need it? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? Microsoft Outlook Google calendar If you have a smart phone, can sync your calendar Check and update on the go

To-Do Lists If a task will take less than 5 minutes to complete, don’t write it down. Just do it. Prioritize & Organize As your list gets longer, fewer things will get done unless you have a plan Know which tasks are most important Know which tasks are most urgent Give yourself deadlines Keep it simple and somewhere convenient. Where will you see it often? Be able to update it regularly?

Find what works for you Whether it be a hand-written calendar, a To-Do list, something you keep electronically, or a combination, you have to choose what works for you Some people can just remember. Other people are like me. If you are a visual person, consider color coding This is my calendar for the week. I have categories in my calendar, email and Task List that all match. I know just by glancing at my calendar what is coming up. **This may not work for you, and that’s okay. You just have to find what does!

Things to Consider If you have an electronic version of your calendar or task list, your teachers may not let you update during class. Have a plan to be sure you record important due dates and homework assignments As you’re planning, give yourself breaks Breaks shouldn’t last longer than the time scheduled to be productive Give yourself some transition time Be structured Have a time, location, and goal established ahead of time Consider studying with a focused friend or using tutoring at school Have a start time AND an end time –deadlines will help you stay focused Don’t study in bed! Use your “down time”

Money Management

What, exactly, are you managing? Before you can “manage” your money, you have to know how much you have! Savings accounts, checking accounts, cash, savings bonds… Not all of you have a job, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start practicing

Know where your money is going Track your spending How much do you spend on… Entertainment? Food? Clothes? Gas for your car? Savings account? Charities? **Are any of you already doing this?

What are your money goals? A lot of people want to save money, but everyone has different reasons. Are you saving up for a video game? Christmas gifts? A new outfit, or that pricey purse? A car? College?

Create a spending plan Saying you want to save money, and actually saving, are very different. It’s important to have a plan, or you’ll end up spending your money on something immediately gratifying. Budgets are helpful –once you know where you’ve been spending your money, you may need to make changes. Have spending rules! Anyone already have a budget? How could you change the way you spend in order to meet your money goals?

Feedback time On the other side of your piece of paper, I want 3 pieces of feedback from you. You can choose from any of the following… What did you learn? What wasn’t covered that you think should have been? What would you change? My name, office location, and/or days I am at your school

Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialist Thank you for your time! Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialist