Lesson Plan
Your Time, Your Future
Students will be able to identify key tasks in college and job applications and apply time management strategies to prioritize them effectively.
Effective time management during college and job application seasons is crucial for reducing stress, meeting deadlines, and maximizing opportunities for success. This lesson will equip students with practical skills they can immediately use.
Audience
11th Grade Students
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, strategic planning, and a fun, timed application game.
Materials
- Application Action Game, - Whiteboard or projector, and - Markers or pens
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Your Time, Your Future Lesson Plan and familiarise yourself with the content.
- Prepare the Application Action Game materials (can be digital or printed cards).
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for discussion points.
- Review IEP accommodations for extended time on assignments to ensure they are integrated where applicable.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the topic: time management for college and job applications.
- Ask students: "What are some things that make applying for college or a job feel overwhelming?" (e.g., many tasks, deadlines, not knowing where to start).
- Explain that this lesson will provide strategies to make the process less stressful and more manageable.
Step 2
Understanding the Application Process (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Briefly outline common steps in both college and job applications:
- College: Researching schools, writing essays, requesting transcripts/recommendations, filling out forms, financial aid.
- Jobs: Resume building, cover letter writing, searching for openings, online applications, interview prep.
- Emphasize that these are many steps, making time management essential.
Step 3
Strategy Spotlight: Prioritization (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Introduce the concept of prioritizing tasks, especially for big projects like applications.
- Discuss the idea of breaking down big tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
- Introduce a simple prioritization method (e.g., Urgent/Important matrix verbally, or just
Step 4
Application Action Game (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Introduce the Application Action Game.
- Explain that students will work individually or in pairs to prioritize application tasks under a time limit (accommodate extended time as needed for specific students, perhaps by giving certain individuals or pairs an extra minute).
- Distribute the game materials and provide instructions.
- Facilitate the game, observing how students approach prioritization.
Step 5
Debrief & Wrap-Up (3 minutes)
3 minutes
- Bring the group back together.
- Discuss challenges and successes from the game.
- Ask: "What was one thing you learned about managing your time for applications today?"
- Reiterate the importance of breaking tasks down and starting early.
- Remind students about their extended time accommodations if they need it for assignments related to this topic in the future.
- Encourage them to use these strategies in real-life application scenarios.
Game
Application Action Game: Prioritize Your Path!
Objective: To practice prioritizing college and job application tasks efficiently, using urgency and importance as guides.
Time Allotment: 10 minutes (For students with IEP accommodations for extended time, provide an additional 2-3 minutes as needed).
Materials:
- Set of 'Application Task Cards' (provided below - can be printed and cut, or displayed digitally)
- Pen/pencil for each student/group
- Worksheet or blank paper to create a prioritized list or draw a simple 4-quadrant matrix
Instructions:
- Preparation (Teacher): Print and cut out the 'Application Task Cards' or prepare to display them clearly to the class.
- Introduction (Teacher): Explain to students that they have a limited amount of time to complete many important tasks for college or job applications. Their goal is to prioritize these tasks into four categories based on urgency and importance:
- Urgent & Important (Do First!): Tasks that need immediate attention and are critical for success.
- Important, Not Urgent (Schedule It!): Tasks that are critical but don't need to be done right away; planning is key.
- Urgent, Not Important (Delegate if Possible/Quickly Do!): Tasks that demand immediate attention but might not be critical to their main goal. For this exercise, students should aim to do them quickly if they can't delegate.
- Not Urgent & Not Important (Eliminate/Do Later!): Tasks that are neither time-sensitive nor critical.
- Task Distribution: Distribute the 'Application Task Cards' to each student or small group.
- Prioritization Challenge: Students will have the allotted time to read through all the task cards and sort them into the four categories (Urgent & Important, Important Not Urgent, Urgent Not Important, Not Urgent Not Important). They should write down the tasks under each category on their paper or worksheet.
- Reflection: After the time is up, students should review their sorted lists.
Application Task Cards
(Cut these out or present them individually)
Task Card 1: Finish your main college application essay (due in 3 weeks).
Task Card 2: Ask your English teacher for a letter of recommendation (deadline in 1 month).
Task Card 3: Fill out the FAFSA (financial aid form), which opens next week.
Task Card 4: Research potential job openings for summer internships (no deadline yet).
Task Card 5: Update your resume with your latest volunteer experience (you have a job fair in 2 days).
Task Card 6: Proofread a friend's college essay (they asked for help, due tomorrow).
Task Card 7: Schedule a campus visit to a university you're mildly interested in (can be done anytime).
Task Card 8: Practice common interview questions for an upcoming job interview next week.
Task Card 9: Collect all your high school transcripts (needed for applications due in 2 months).
Task Card 10: Scroll through social media for career advice (no specific goal or deadline).
Task Card 11: Write a thank-you note after a job interview you had yesterday.
Task Card 12: Decide on your top 3 college choices (applications due in 2-3 months).
Slide Deck
Your Time, Your Future: Master Applications!
Navigating college and job applications can feel like a huge puzzle. How do you tackle it all without getting overwhelmed?
Greet students and introduce the lesson's main topic. Ask an open-ended question to gauge their current feelings about applications.
Why Time Management Matters
- Reduce Stress!
- Meet Deadlines!
- Boost Your Chances!
Applications have lots of steps and deadlines. Let's make it manageable!
Transition to the purpose of the lesson. Explain why time management is key for success and stress reduction. Highlight the importance of starting early and breaking things down.
College Applications: What's Involved?
- Researching Schools
- Writing Essays
- Requesting Transcripts & Recommendations
- Filling Out Forms
- Financial Aid Applications
Briefly list common college application tasks. Encourage students to share any they know or have heard of.
Job Applications: What's Involved?
- Resume Building
- Cover Letter Writing
- Searching for Openings
- Online Application Forms
- Interview Preparation
Briefly list common job application tasks. Again, ask students for their input.
Strategy Spotlight: Prioritization!
When everything feels urgent, how do you decide what to do first?
It's all about:
- Breaking Down Tasks: Big tasks become small, manageable steps.
- Prioritizing: Knowing what's truly urgent and important.
Introduce the concept of prioritization. Explain that not all tasks are created equal. You can mention the Urgent/Important matrix as a tool.
Time for Action: The Application Action Game!
Now, let's put your prioritization skills to the test!
We'll use the Application Action Game to sort tasks into:
- Urgent & Important (Do First!)
- Important, Not Urgent (Schedule It!)
- Urgent, Not Important (Delegate/Quickly Do!)
- Not Urgent & Not Important (Eliminate/Do Later!)
Remember: Extended time is available if you need it!
Explain the game rules and link to the game material. Emphasize the IEP accommodation for extended time as needed.
Reflect & Apply
What did you learn about managing your time for applications today?
Key Takeaways:
- Start early.
- Break down big tasks.
- Prioritize effectively.
- Use resources and ask for help!
Lead a brief debrief. Ask what challenges they faced or what they learned. Reinforce the main takeaways.
Game
Time Crunch Scenario Game: What Do You Do FIRST?
Objective: To rapidly assess and prioritize conflicting application tasks when time is limited.
Time Allotment: 7 minutes (For students with IEP accommodations for extended time, provide an additional 1-2 minutes as needed).
Materials:
- Set of 'Scenario Cards' (provided below - can be printed and cut, or displayed digitally)
- Pen/pencil for each student/group (optional, for quick notes)
Instructions:
- Preparation (Teacher): Print and cut out the 'Scenario Cards' or prepare to display them clearly to the class.
- Introduction (Teacher): Explain that in real life, application tasks don't always come one by one. Sometimes, several urgent things pop up at once! This game challenges them to quickly decide which single task they would tackle FIRST in a given scenario.
- Scenario Presentation: Present each scenario card one at a time. Give students 30-60 seconds to decide which task they would prioritize and why.
- Discussion: After each scenario, facilitate a brief discussion. Ask students: "What did you choose to do first and why?" and "Did anyone choose differently? What was your reasoning?"
Scenario Cards
(Cut these out or present them individually)
Scenario 1: The Weekend Rush
It's Friday afternoon. You have a soccer game tonight, and your college essay is due Monday morning. You also just remembered your teacher needs to submit your letter of recommendation by Tuesday, and they asked you to confirm by the end of today.
- A) Go to the soccer game.
- B) Work on your college essay.
- C) Email your teacher about the recommendation.
Scenario 2: The Interview Dilemma
It's Wednesday. You have a job interview for a summer internship tomorrow morning. You also received an email that your FAFSA application has a small error and needs correction by Friday. And you still need to research two more colleges for your application due next month.
- A) Prepare for your job interview.
- B) Fix the FAFSA error.
- C) Research colleges.
Scenario 3: Recommendation Panic
You wake up to an email on Monday morning. Your counselor just reminded you that two letters of recommendation for your dream university are due this Friday. You haven't officially asked either teacher yet, but you spoke to them casually about it last month. You also have a final project for history due next Monday that you haven't started, and a volunteer shift at the hospital tonight.
- A) Immediately ask teachers for recommendation letters.
- B) Start working on your history final project.
- C) Go to your volunteer shift.
Scenario 4: The Scholarship Sprint
It's Tuesday. You found a scholarship for your dream college that has a deadline this Friday, and it requires a short essay. Your part-time job application for a weekend position also needs to be finalized by Thursday, and you have a club meeting tonight you promised to lead.
- A) Write the scholarship essay.
- B) Finalize your part-time job application.
- C) Prepare for and lead the club meeting.
Scenario 5: College Fair Crash
You're at a college fair on a Saturday. You meet a representative from a university you love, who tells you they're offering on-the-spot interviews today, but they close in 2 hours. You also have an online application for another college that you started and needs to be submitted by end of day, and your best friend is waiting for you to help them move furniture.
- A) Do the on-the-spot interview.
- B) Finish and submit your online college application.
- C) Go help your friend move.
Scenario 6: The Unexpected Opportunity
It's Monday. A local company you admire just announced a one-day-only opening for an internship, and applications close at 5 PM today! You also have a college application essay due tomorrow morning that's almost finished, and a dentist appointment this afternoon.
- A) Drop everything and apply for the internship.
- B) Finish and proofread your college essay.
- C) Go to your dentist appointment.
Answer Key
Time Crunch Scenario Game: Answer Key
This answer key provides a recommended prioritization for each scenario and the reasoning behind it, focusing on urgency and importance for college and job applications.
Scenario 1: The Weekend Rush
It's Friday afternoon. You have a soccer game tonight, and your college essay is due Monday morning. You also just remembered your teacher needs to submit your letter of recommendation by Tuesday, and they asked you to confirm by the end of today.
- A) Go to the soccer game.
- B) Work on your college essay.
- C) Email your teacher about the recommendation.
Recommended Answer: C) Email your teacher about the recommendation.
Reasoning: This task is both urgent (teacher asked for confirmation by end of today, Friday) and important (critical for a successful college application). While the essay is due Monday, securing the recommendation letter is time-sensitive and might prevent the teacher from submitting it on time if not confirmed today. The soccer game, while enjoyable, is less critical to your future applications.
Scenario 2: The Interview Dilemma
It's Wednesday. You have a job interview for a summer internship tomorrow morning. You also received an email that your FAFSA application has a small error and needs correction by Friday. And you still need to research two more colleges for your application due next month.
- A) Prepare for your job interview.
- B) Fix the FAFSA error.
- C) Research colleges.
Recommended Answer: A) Prepare for your job interview.
Reasoning: The job interview is tomorrow morning, making it the most urgent and highly important task. Your performance in the interview directly impacts your chance of getting the internship. The FAFSA error has until Friday, giving you a bit more time. College research, while important, is not urgent in this specific moment.
Scenario 3: Recommendation Panic
You wake up to an email on Monday morning. Your counselor just reminded you that two letters of recommendation for your dream university are due this Friday. You haven't officially asked either teacher yet, but you spoke to them casually about it last month. You also have a final project for history due next Monday that you haven't started, and a volunteer shift at the hospital tonight.
- A) Immediately ask teachers for recommendation letters.
- B) Start working on your history final project.
- C) Go to your volunteer shift.
Recommended Answer: A) Immediately ask teachers for recommendation letters.
Reasoning: Securing recommendation letters from teachers is crucial for your dream university application and the deadline is Friday. Teachers need time to write thoughtful letters, so asking immediately is paramount. The history project is due next Monday, and while important, has more time. The volunteer shift is less critical to your application success than securing recommendations.
Scenario 4: The Scholarship Sprint
It's Tuesday. You found a scholarship for your dream college that has a deadline this Friday, and it requires a short essay. Your part-time job application for a weekend position also needs to be finalized by Thursday, and you have a club meeting tonight you promised to lead.
- A) Write the scholarship essay.
- B) Finalize your part-time job application.
- C) Prepare for and lead the club meeting.
Recommended Answer: A) Write the scholarship essay.
Reasoning: The scholarship essay has a Friday deadline for your dream college, making it highly urgent and important. Scholarships are a significant factor in college affordability. While the job application is due Thursday, you can likely complete it quickly. The club meeting, while a commitment, can potentially be delegated or prepared for briefly, as it doesn't directly impact your long-term educational or career goals in the same way the scholarship does.
Scenario 5: College Fair Crash
You're at a college fair on a Saturday. You meet a representative from a university you love, who tells you they're offering on-the-spot interviews today, but they close in 2 hours. You also have an online application for another college that you started and needs to be submitted by end of day, and your best friend is waiting for you to help them move furniture.
- A) Do the on-the-spot interview.
- B) Finish and submit your online college application.
- C) Go help your friend move.
Recommended Answer: A) Do the on-the-spot interview.
Reasoning: An on-the-spot interview for a university you love is a rare and highly impactful opportunity with an immediate deadline (2 hours). This is both extremely urgent and important. While the online application is due by the end of the day, it can be completed after the interview. Helping your friend is important, but less time-sensitive and critical to your future than a potential college acceptance.
Scenario 6: The Unexpected Opportunity
It's Monday. A local company you admire just announced a one-day-only opening for an internship, and applications close at 5 PM today! You also have a college application essay due tomorrow morning that's almost finished, and a dentist appointment this afternoon.
- A) Drop everything and apply for the internship.
- B) Finish and proofread your college essay.
- C) Go to your dentist appointment.
Recommended Answer: A) Drop everything and apply for the internship.
Reasoning: This internship application is a one-day-only opportunity with a 5 PM deadline, making it incredibly urgent and potentially very important for your career path. This is a