I think it's fair to say this is every teacher atleast at some point in the school year. As a teacher there seems to NEVER be enough time to get it all done. It feels like you're drowning in all the "to-do"s and you don't know how to get above water.
I've been there. I had those days—weeks, even—where it felt like I was juggling a million things at once, and no matter how hard I tried, there just wasn't enough time to get everything done.
It can be overwhelming, but trust me, you’re not alone, and there are strategies that can help. Here are a few tips that have worked for me.
PRIORITIZE YOUR TASKS
You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s true: not everything is equally urgent. Make a to-do list, and then star or circle the things that are most important and time sensitive. Decide what can wait. Once you decide what matters most in the moment, it’s easier to focus. Sometimes all I'd get done is the one thing that HAD to get done in that time and that's okay because everything else could wait.
Try using the Eisenhower Matrix—divide tasks into four categories:
Urgent and important (do these first)
Important but not urgent (schedule these)
Urgent but not important (delegate if possible)
Neither urgent nor important (consider dropping these)
Really consider what things you can let go of. Sometimes your plate really is too full so you need to say No to something. I remember it was a turning point for me when I heard someone say "Every time you say "Yes" to something, you say "No" to something else. As someone who had a hard time ever saying no to someone... this hit me hard. And it's true! This made it easier for me to start saying No.
PLAN HOW YOU'LL USE YOUR TIME It might sound like a no brainer but planning ahead how you will use your time make a huge difference in being able to spend it well. Whether it's planning how you'll use your prep period, your time before/after school, or a teacher work day.
Time blocking can be a great strategy! It means breaking up your time into chunks--not necessarily planning minute to minute but a general block and assign a category of tasks to that time. This is helpful when you have a longer time to be working like maybe during your prep period or an entire teacher work day or summer day. I know those days before school starts when you go into the classroom can be hard to actually stay focused and get things done. The time gets away from you! Time blocking helps you stay on track with what you want to get done without having to plan minute to minute and allowing some wiggle room.
You'll probably have to adjust your plan but having a plan to begin with is going to help you make the most of it and not waste time deciding what it is you should be working on.
IDENTIFY & MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS
Sometimes you're not having enough time to get things done because you're getting distracted. Being able to identify your distractions and then minimize them is probably the number one thing that will help you to make the most of your time that you do have to get things done. It's amazing how much time we really do waste from distractions without even realizing it. My biggest distraction is 100% my phone so making sure my phone is completely out of sight, out of mind is crucial for me to stay focused. But maybe it's a coworker who may be a distraction or even students coming in just to hang out.
STREAMLINE YOUR ROUTINE
There are certain tasks you do every day (lesson planning, grading, responding to emails, etc.), so finding ways to streamline them can free up a surprising amount of time. Consider using templates for your lesson plans, grading rubrics, and even emails to parents. The less time you spend reinventing the wheel, the more time you can focus on other things.
If you use gmail, you can create templates very easily! As a teacher some of the templates that I had were: Thank You For Donating, Parent Email About Negative Behavior, and Class Parent Survey Reminders. See my blog post here explaining exactly how to do it! You can also schedule email in gmail so that they can send at a future time.
When it came to lesson planning I used my scope & sequence template and each semester I'd make a copy of it so that I wasn't starting from scratch but just adjusting. It's one of the biggest reasons I love lesson planning digitally--it's faster!
Some things I did to help make grading faster was I'd write the scores on a grade sheet as I graded them so that when I went to put the scores in on the computer, they were already in alphabetical order. When possible, I'd create quizzes in Canvas that could auto grade. I also would sometimes just give credit to everyone who was there and participated or I'd decide not to put it on their grade at all! Not everything has to be graded.
ASK FOR HELP
When possible, have students help with tasks! Things like cutting, stapling, laminating, sorting, and other prepping. I was lucky enough to have a few students as teacher aides but I know not every school has this. If you don't have actual designated aides, then ask some fast finishers if they'd like to help. You can also have students help with cleaning or setting up--I occasionally had students all get a wipe and help wipe down tables and chairs. I also had them help when I set up for things like my Child Development baby shower. They can get all the tablecloths on the tables in no time!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or collaborate with colleagues. I know it's easy to feel like we have to do everything ourselves, but we don't. Whether it’s sharing lesson plans, getting feedback and ideas, or asking for support with a particular task, you don’t have to carry the load alone. You can also find teacher resources on Teachers Pay Teachers if you can't find what you're needing from coworkers!
GET ORGANIZED
For me, even just the act of organizing something makes me feel less overwhelmed. Having a cluttered space whether physically or digitally, only adds to my stress. But getting organized actually does save you time. If you're having to spend time trying to find something or trying to remember what it was you needed to do then you aren't as efficient with the little time you do have.
Have a designated spot for assignments that need to be graded, assignments that have been graded, for copies to be made, and for copies that you have already made. I have my students turn in their work to their individual turn in basket (aff link) and there's a file folder in the back where I put their graded papers once their scores are in the computer. I use paper trays (aff link) to organize my copies-- I have 12 so that I can have copies prepared for the next 10 class periods (or this week + next week), plus one for copies to be made and one for master copies needed to be put away in my class binders.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Make sure you're getting enough rest, eating well, and carving out time for activities that recharge you. Even a 5-minute walk or a few deep breaths can make a big difference in your mental clarity and energy. Sometimes it means making things you already do more rejuvenating like listening to a favorite podcast or calling a friend on your commute.
REFLECT & ADJUST
Sometimes, feeling overwhelmed is a sign that something in your routine or workload needs to be adjusted. Take a step back and reflect on what’s working and what’s not. Think about the last week or 2 and answer these questions:
What went well?
What caused stress?
What drained my energy?
Are there tasks that consistently take longer than expected?
Are there tasks that I could delegate, automate, or streamline?
Am I saying "yes" to too many things?
How am I managing stress, anxiety, or frustration?
What can I tweak to make things more manageable?
Small adjustments can make a big difference over time.
SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
We all want to be the best teachers we can be, but we’re human, and perfection isn’t the goal. Sometimes, it’s okay to be "good enough." If something doesn’t go as planned or you don’t have time to create the perfect activity, it’s okay. Focus on doing your best, but recognize that “done” is better than “perfect.”
Don’t beat yourself up. Do what you can. Let the unimportant things go. You can't do everything, but you can do one thing at a time.
You’re doing amazing work, and your effort doesn’t go unnoticed. Keep going, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
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