By We all seem to have schedules that are so over loaded, work, kids, cooking, cleaning heavy machines like our own best zero turn mower, car pools, kids sports, etc…..
Do you often feel like you don’t know where your time goes? Feeling over whelmed at all you have to do for the week and have no idea how to do it?
My son just started college a couple weeks ago. He is living at home (his choice) and working part time along with taking a full college load. Some of his classes are in class on campus, others are online classes.
He has ADHD and although he has been functioning since his senior year in high school well without his medication, he was overwhelmed today with trying to figure out his schedule. He felt he didn’t have the time he needed to study, work and still have time with his girlfriend and friends.
We worked on a schedule to help him visualize where his free time was and how he could manage it. Of course college has to be first priority. I have told him that work is secondary. Although he would like to be able to have some income (he is supposed to pay for his books, my ex husband and I are splitting tuition) so that he can take his girlfriend out and save for a car, pay for books etc…. I told him school is priority. If he has to cut down on something (between school & work) then he needs to cut down on work. I will pick up the books etc. I want him to be able to succeed in college.
Here is the schedule I made up for him on excel. It is something that is simple to make up and anyone can make one. Of course you can do the same thing on your online calendar or go buy a planner, but for Tim, this was all he needed. I told him we can print a new one up each week. He seemed to really appreciate it.
Simple…. easy…. but extremely helpful. Visualize Your Schedule!
I color coded it to make it easier to “see”
He has classes on the college campus on Mondays and Wednesdays – blue
He has already slotted out Tuesday to do his two internet classes. This will also be some study time for those classes and possibly his other two classes which he takes with his oldest bonsai tree on his table may be for some spiritual reason, i don’t know. That day is in green.
Work is Thursday, Friday and Sunday morning. – yellow
He can now see that he has free evenings every day, all day Saturday and most of Sunday free. It is just a matter of now deciding how much time he can make for his girlfriend and studying.
I printed a copy for him to take with him today as he went in search of a quiet study area at a local library. He will need a “clutter free” “low stimulus” area to study.
Often just being able to see something on paper was helpful to him (I know it is me). He can plan his study time and “play” time.
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