Prioritize It
A task that is both important and needs to be completed soon should be placed in this priority level.
What is high priority?
This tool helps you record assignments, appointments, practices, and other responsibilities.
What is a planner or calendar?
The “S” in SMART stands for this.
What is specific?
Scrolling on your phone instead of beginning an assignment is an example of this.
What is a time-waster?
When an unexpected event changes your plans, you may need to do this to your schedule.
What is adjust or revise it?
Finishing an assignment due tomorrow or reorganizing your pencil bag—which should be completed first?
What is finishing the assignment?
Looking at your schedule at the beginning of each week helps you identify these before they become a problem.
What are scheduling conflicts?
The “M” in SMART means you can track or determine whether the goal has been accomplished.
What is measurable?
This occurs when you delay starting something that needs to be completed.
What is procrastination?
Completing an important assignment before its deadline gives you this in case something unexpected happens.
What is extra time or a buffer?
This type of task is important but can be scheduled for later because it does not need immediate attention.
What is a medium-priority task?
This planning method assigns a specific activity or task to a particular period of time.
What is time blocking?
“I will improve my grades” is missing details. Changing it to “I will raise my math grade to a B” improves this part of the goal.
What is specificity?
Turning off notifications while studying helps reduce these.
What are distractions?
You are sick on the day you planned to work on a project. This should be your first step once you are able to work again.
What is review and adjust the plan?
You have homework due tomorrow, laundry needed for Friday, and a game tonight. Name the task you should handle first.
What is the homework due tomorrow?
You have practice from 4:00–6:00 and homework that will take one hour. Give one reasonable way to schedule the homework.
What is completing it before practice or scheduling it after practice?
“I will complete all five missing assignments by Friday” includes this important SMART goal element.
What is time-bound?
A large project feels overwhelming. This strategy makes it easier to begin by dividing it into smaller steps.
What is breaking the task into manageable parts?
Two important activities are scheduled at the same time. You should compare their deadlines and consequences before making this type of decision.
What is a priority decision?
This strategy organizes tasks according to their importance and urgency instead of completing only the easiest tasks first.
What is prioritizing?
This is why you should include extra time between activities when creating a schedule.
What is to prepare for delays, interruptions, or unexpected events?
Revise this goal to make it SMART: “I will stop procrastinating.”
What is “I will begin my homework by 7:00 each school night for the next two weeks”?
Accept other answers that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
You planned to study for 30 minutes but spent most of the time responding to messages. Name one change that would make your next study session more productive.
What is putting the phone away, turning on Do Not Disturb, or using a timer?
A student has school, a part-time job, practice, homework, and family responsibilities. Name two strategies that would help the student manage everything.
What are using a calendar, prioritizing tasks, time blocking, planning ahead, limiting distractions, or asking for help?