The College of Social Work “Nirmala Niketan” students placed at MCGM R Ward Office for field work conducted a session on “Effective Time Management” with the boys of Bosco Boys Home, (BBH) Borivali on 21st February, 2019 from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. The students from 5th to 9thstandard were the target group for the session. The session input were given by the Moderators: Fr. Dinesh Kumar (Master’s in Social Work, second year), from Patna Archdiocese and Ms. Gayatri Dhargalkar (Bachelor’s in Social Work, third year).

Deacon Romero D’souza, the Perfect of Studies welcomed the Moderators and introduced them to the students and encouraged the students to understand the importance of time and how to manage it with the expertise of the speakers with them so as to utilize their time effectively and productively. 

The session was divided into 4 parts comprising of an activity, discussion on a Case study, Tips for Effective Time Management and the Barriers in Time Management with critical Feedback. In the activity, the students had the option to either write or draw all the activities which they perform throughout the day and also to mention the time spend on each activity. The purpose been enabling the students to reflect upon their own time management. After which, the students were divided into 4 groups with each group been given a question paper to be discussed on the issues been faced due to ineffective management of time. While explaining to the students about the tips for effective Time Management, Fr. Kumar said, “For managing your time it is very important to set proper goals by making a list of all the things I have to do and of all the things I can do in the limited time I have and put a plan of action to achieve it. This is called as SMART goal concept.” While sharing with the students the barriers to effective Time Management, Ms. Dhargalkar explained, “We often say we lack time to complete the work assigned to us because we do not set clear goals and our inability to say “No” other distractions.” In the feedback session, the students were given guidance on taking care of themselves by eating timely and healthy meals, taking frequent breaks to relax, practicing meditation and yoga, having 8 hours of sleep and staying positive.
Vishal Gautam one of the 8th standard student of BBH expressed, “It was a very nice session. I am grateful to them for teaching me to use my time efficiently. From now onwards I would make a proper Time table for my daily schedule and try to follow it faithfully.”