Many elements go into becoming a better student, from tackling confusing new concepts to working on time management skills. Working with an online tutor can help pinpoint areas needing improvement. Here’s just one habit your whole family can use to improve performance and reduce stress.

Time Blocking Leads to Success

Staying reasonably organized is essential in success at school or work. Life can be so unpredictable that developing fluidity while maintaining focus is needed to schedule your time effectively.

At its heart, time blocking is a gateway to deep involvement, the kind of work which leads people to become experts in their fields and sought after in all areas of performance. The question is, how do you really get it to work?

Balancing Time and Task Requirements

One of the biggest pitfalls to time blocking is prioritizing task management over time management, or vice versa. Both must be considered equally, and they must be considered honestly. For instance, it may not feel great to write “Friend Time” on your kids’ schedule, but playing with friends and connecting with family are an important part of life that will happen regardless of whether it’s been penciled in.

Also remember that you’re not meting out your hours as a way to do things faster, but as a tool for becoming more productive. If a task takes two hours to do well, it’s imperative to reserve two hours for the job. In fact, when you’re first beginning to block time, reserve more time for every activity than you think is needed. Extra minutes allow you to manage surprises that come up throughout the day without throwing off your schedule. Those hours that aren’t used should be dedicated to a particular activity. According to author and time management expert, Cal Newport, this is the key to developing deep learning habits.

A Balancing Act with Big Benefits

Expect the few weeks you spend time blocking to be filled with eye-openers. You’ll eventually learn how to change your schedule without throwing off your whole day, and you’ll be amazed by how many extra minutes you’ve dedicated to a task you otherwise would have forgotten. Once you’ve mastered this tested time management method, you can help your child walk through the steps: blocking out time for breakfast, for school, for online tutoring, sports practice, and time with their friends.

Parents aren’t born knowing everything, which is why online tutors provide so much relief. They can help with every aspect of academics, including passing on important tips like these. For more information on how to help your child in and out of the classroom, visit GrowingStars.com.