- Victor Ochieng’ explains why prudent time management remains an important ingredient in students’ academic success.
- He highlights the Eisenhower Matrix as a practical tool students can use to prioritise their activities.
- He argues that wise stewardship of time requires self-discipline, clear priorities and purposeful daily planning.
Nearest dearest, while I was reading and researching about the resource called time, and how to make wise use of it, I bumped on this interesting anecdote. So, I decided to dote on it. To know the value of one year, ask a student who has failed in a national exam like KCSE. To know the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To know the value of one week, ask an editor who works on a weekly newspaper or magazine. To know the value of one day, ask a daily casual labourer who has ten mouths to feed. To know the value of one hour, ask a lass and a lad, madly in love, and are eager to meet for a tour of hearts. To know the value of one minute, ask a person who has just missed a flight. To know the value of a second, ask a person who has just witnessed a sad accident episode. To know the value of a millisecond, ask an elite athlete poised to bag a gold medal.
Eisenhower Time Management Matrix
I then thought about this, too. In 1954, Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), the 34th President of the United States of America (POTUS), who was also a 5-star general during World War II, sagely said, “I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” Later, Dr. Stephen Covey decided to explicate this quote in his ever-green heroic book titled The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. So, in his winsome wisdom, he coined Eisenhower Matrix, which in popular parlance is also known as Time Management Matrix. Eisenhower Box. Or Urgent-Important Matrix. Being that time management is one of the most important study skills, methods or habits; through wise use of Eisenhower Matrix, students can divide time into four boxes based on: One, tasks to do first. For instance, lessons attendance. Two, tasks to schedule later. For instance, allocations on personal timetable. Three, tasks to delegate. For instance, when senior prefects assign duties to their juniors. And four, tasks to delete. For instance, avoiding bad company. Or shunning unhealthy relationships.
Wise Use of Time
Somewhat, in students’ context, after looking at Gas Laws in Form 3 Chemistry, they can also coin a law in relation to time: “Today, is directly proportional to tomorrow, God’s favour being a constant.” Therefore, bad news is that time flies. Conversely, good news is that students are the pilots. Students cannot kill time without injuring their future. Time has a puissant impact on their academic performance as well as career choices. Time is the metre sedulous students use to measure their academic progress and success. Time is the currency of life. It is not possible to save some time. Time wasted cannot be recovered. Time and tide waits for no man. Time is a resource given to us – mere mortals – by God Almighty. Therefore, we have to be steadfast stewards of it. Wisdom and time are inseparable. Meaning, steadfast stewardship of time has some winsome wisdom. Therefore, students who manage time are wise. Conversely, students who cannot manage it are otherwise. No wonder, in deep piety, the psalmist makes a petition in Psalm 90:12: “Teach us to number our days right that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Types of Time
More importantly, there are three types of time. One, there is predictable time, which is the time already committed to activities such as classes, discussions, games, or entertainment. Two, there is discretionary time, which is the time available, but not already allotted to activities. Three, is the imposed time, unpredictable time for activities such as assignments and telling stories with friends. Actually, through steadfast stewardship of time, it is easier to accomplish tasks. Therefore, being a steadfast steward of time is the real deal. Wise use of time improves academic performance of students. Sometimes, the difference among students in terms of performance, excellence and peace, mental health, et cetera, can be attributed to how they spend time in and out of school. Some students commit their time to meaningful activities. While others focus on activities that affect their rise to the acme of the game of life. Yet, they should know, time influences their well-being and wellness. A feeling of being “out of control” of time is a source of stress-related issues.
Management of Time
Finally, students manage time through deep decisiveness. Time management abuts on self-management and self-discipline. Students should set their priorities right. To begin to win, students should develop personal academic action plans and weekly consultation diaries. Students should have all-inclusive timetables and daily task lists.
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Students should schedule weekly activities, enter daily records of work done, make wise use of weekends and preps. As they audit themselves periodically. Students must arrest thieves of time like complacency, procrastination, laziness, lassitude and sleeping in class. Then, as we conclude, we can contend, on proper stewardship of time, students should rely on Eisenhower Matrix: One, tasks to do first. Two, tasks to schedule later. Three, tasks to delegate. And four, tasks to delete.
By Victor Ochieng’
Victor Ochieng’ rolls out academic talks and training services in schools. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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