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Improving Punctuality—One Small Step at a Time!
Concept sheet | Study tips
It might be true that the early bird catches the worm, but in reality, it isn’t always possible to be on time all of the time. Maybe your little brother has trouble getting up in the morning, making you late for school. Or, perhaps the carpool ride you take to school is chronically late picking you up. Of course, these examples are out of your control, but making sure that you’re ready and prepared first thing in the morning for school isn’t. If punctuality is not your strength, don’t give up! We have some great suggestions for you.
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What Type of Late Person Are You?
If timeliness is a problem for you, the first thing to do is think about what kind of late person you are. Do you try to do too much in a short amount of time and fall behind? Are you someone who loves to do things at the last minute? Perhaps your tardiness stems from being distracted or forgetful. Or, maybe you just feel overwhelmed by the many things you have to do.
No matter why you’re late, it’s important that you learn to recognize and acknowledge the issue. Being late can affect not only your social relationships (what friend wants to miss the chance of going out to lunch because you’re late coming out of class?), but also for your emotional wellness and academic progress.
Being late can become a bad habit. Luckily, habits can be broken. The first thing you need to do is identify the reason why you’re frequently late. Then, form a new and better habit, such as arriving at the bus stop 10 minutes before it’s scheduled to get there. Next, ask for support. Talk to your parents or teachers and share your goals with them. Finally, don’t give up! Simply try to be consistent.
Smart Strategies for Getting Places on Time
Are you showing up to class at the very last minute because your locker is out of control? Were you late for your last dentist appointment? Being physically on time means that you are where you are supposed to be at the designated time. Fortunately, there are many strategies that can help you.
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Use alarms. Tapping the snooze button on your phone over and over again will not make you punctual. If this is an issue for you, consider leaving your phone a short walking distance from your bed while you sleep. If you have to get up to turn it off, then you’ll be less likely to go back to bed. If this doesn’t work, you may want to try using an old-fashioned alarm clock in addition to your phone. Finally, consider setting an alarm 15 minutes before you need to leave for school. This final reminder will give you time for any last minute preparations.
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Set up notifications. Calendars on our devices come with notifications. Use them for appointments and deadlines. Customize your notifications so that you get several reminders, even up to a week before an appointment. A good trick if you’re chronically late: Set the time for your appointment 15 minutes earlier than it actually is. And if you get there early, great! Read a book, get a coffee, take a short walk, or do a little schoolwork.
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Account for travel time. Depending on where you live, there may be several options for getting to school, including public transportation. If you do travel by city bus, check your bus schedule in advance, and arrive at the stop at least 5 minutes beforehand. You don’t want to be last in line!
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Set a school night routine. Being organized the night before school will make the next morning go much more smoothly, especially if it’s hard for you to get up in the morning! Our handy tool has ideas to help you make your morning a lot less stressful.
Are your siblings or other family members making you late for school in the morning? If so, it’s time to have a constructive chat with your parents to come up with a solution. Maybe you can bike, walk, use public transportation (if available), or carpool with a friend. You might also consider talking to your teachers. Let them know that it’s someone else in your family who is making you late. They may have some creative ideas for you, too!
Smart Strategies for Turning in Work on Time
School assignments and projects have due dates. Being late for these can impact several areas of your life, including:
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Lower grades and a lack of understanding of the subject material
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Stress and anxiety
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Missing out on learning opportunities, such as class discussions
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A damaged reputation and loss of trust from teachers, especially if you often hand things in late
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Lower self-esteem as you begin to doubt your own abilities
Here are some winning strategies to help you be punctual when it comes to school assignments:
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Prioritize your schoolwork. Of course, extracurricular activities are important for your personal wellness, but they shouldn’t come before your schoolwork. Overscheduling and procrastination can lead to late assignments. Learning to distinguish between tasks that are urgent and important and ones that are not is a good skill to practise. The Eisenhower Matrix is a great place to start.
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Use scheduling tools. Keep track of important deadlines and appointments in your school agenda or calendar.
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Work distraction free. At home, when completing homework assignments or studying for tests, make sure to find a quiet spot, free from the hustle and bustle of family life. Also, don’t get caught up in your social media! Try to set your device aside and use it only during breaks.
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Use our Motivational Timer. Alloprof’s Motivational Timer is a helpful tool for organizing your homework time. You can set specific time slots for each subject and earn rewards once you complete a subject.
Remember, by practising punctuality, you’re setting yourself up for success not only in school, but also with friends and family and your own personal growth and autonomy. Being on time will serve you well now and into the future!