From Afterschool to Independence: Learning to Manage My Time in 5th Grade

Maysa Hebristean

5th Grade A

When I started 5th grade, I knew there would be changes in my routine and my life, but I never imagined such a big change. Suddenly, there were new teachers for every subject, more homework, and no afterschool program to help me organize everything.

In primary school, I used to finish my homework at afterschool, play with my friends, and go home relaxed. Now, I must plan my own time. I come home in the afternoon, eat, and then I must decide: do I rest, study, or go to my extra activities? Sometimes I feel like there are not enough hours in the day.

Initially, I struggled with my schedule and stayed up late.

Also, I needed to integrate in my new world my extra activities. I’m sure most kids feel the same way. Most of us decide to give up our extracurricular activities, but I personally believe there is a way to combine them all.

Step by step, I found my way. I started making a schedule using my phone. I try to do the most important ones first (like homework and studying) and then reward myself with some free time.

Extracurricular activities are scheduled in the evening, after 7 p.m., a time when I no longer have the energy or focus for schoolwork.

What helped me the most was doing all my homework for the upcoming week during the weekend — not just Monday’s assignments — and reviewing the lessons from the previous week.

Now, I understand that managing time is like a superpower — the more you practise, the better you get! 5th grade taught me not only math and grammar, but also how to be more responsible and independent.