Common pitfalls in planning and prioritizing tasks

Key Takeaways

Audience Spotlight: Supporting Struggling Learners in High School

If your high schooler seems overwhelmed by deadlines, forgets assignments, or spends hours on one task while ignoring others, you are not alone. Many parents of struggling learners notice these patterns, especially as academic demands increase. The good news is that common pitfalls in planning and prioritizing tasks are part of the learning process, not a sign of failure. With the right support, your child can develop stronger habits and find greater success at school and beyond.

Definitions

Planning means deciding what needs to be done and in what order. Prioritization is choosing which tasks are most important or urgent so your child can focus on what matters most.

Understanding Executive Function: Why High Schoolers Struggle

Executive function skills, including planning and prioritization, help students manage time, organize tasks, and set goals. Experts in child development note that these skills are still developing well into the teenage years. For struggling learners, especially those with ADHD or learning differences, making a plan and knowing what to do first can feel especially hard. Many teachers and parents report that high schoolers often underestimate how long work will take, forget about assignments, or feel anxious when faced with too many choices.

Common Pitfalls in Planning and Prioritizing Tasks

Spotting the common pitfalls in planning and prioritizing tasks is the first step toward helping your child build better habits. Here are some of the most frequent challenges high school students face:

• Underestimating time needed: Many teens think they can finish homework or projects quickly and end up scrambling at the last minute. This leads to stress and incomplete work.
• Not breaking down big assignments: Large projects can feel overwhelming. Without a plan to break them into smaller steps, students may procrastinate or avoid the work altogether.
• Focusing on easy or favorite tasks: It is common for students to do what feels comfortable first, leaving more difficult or important assignments until later, which can impact grades.
• Overcommitting: High schoolers often say yes to too many activities. Without clear priorities, they may feel exhausted or unable to keep up.
• Not reviewing deadlines: Forgetting to check calendars or assignment lists can result in missed due dates and last-minute panic.
• Ignoring task importance: Your child may not distinguish between urgent and less important work, treating all assignments the same or focusing on less critical items.
• Lack of reflection: Without reviewing what worked or did not, students repeat the same mistakes in task planning.

Planning and Prioritization Strategies for Struggling High Schoolers

To help your child overcome common pitfalls in planning and prioritizing tasks, try these practical steps at home:

• Use a visual planner: Encourage your child to keep a paper or digital calendar. Color-coding subjects or deadlines can make it easier to see what is coming up.
• Start with a list: Ask your child to write down all assignments, breaking big projects into smaller, manageable steps. Review the list together and discuss which items are urgent or important.
• Set realistic time estimates: Practice guessing how long tasks will take, then compare with actual time spent. This helps build more accurate planning skills and reduces last-minute stress.
• Prioritize together: Help your child rank assignments by deadline and importance. Use questions like “What is due soonest?” or “Which task will take the longest?” to guide discussion.
• Build in breaks and rewards: Encourage short breaks between tasks and celebrate small wins. This can help keep motivation high and prevent burnout.
• Reflect and adjust: At the end of each week, talk about what worked and what could be improved. Adjust strategies as needed and praise effort, not just results.

For more on executive function, see our resources on executive function.

High School Planning and Prioritization: Parent Questions Answered

“My teen says they have everything under control but keeps missing deadlines. What should I do?”
Your child may genuinely believe their current system is working, even if assignments slip through the cracks. Gently ask to review their planner or calendar together, focusing on upcoming deadlines. Offer to help break down big projects and set small goals. Frame your support as teamwork, not criticism.

“How can I help my child when they seem paralyzed by too much to do?”
Feeling overwhelmed can make it hard to start anything. Try using a “brain dump” method, where your child writes down every task, big or small. Then, help sort the list into what needs attention now and what can wait. Encourage starting with just one manageable task to build momentum.

“What if my child avoids harder tasks?”
Many students save the toughest work for last, which can lead to late nights or incomplete assignments. Encourage a “toughest first” approach, where your child tackles one difficult task before moving on to easier ones. Praise their effort and remind them that practice makes progress.

Executive Function Skills: Building Resilience and Independence

Developing strong executive function skills is a journey. Struggling learners benefit from patient, ongoing support at home. Here are some ways you can help:

• Model planning: Let your child see you use calendars, make lists, or talk through your own priorities.
• Normalize setbacks: When things do not go as planned, discuss what could be done differently next time, without blame.
• Encourage self-advocacy: Support your child in reaching out to teachers for clarification or help when needed.
• Connect to values: Help your child see how good planning supports their goals, whether it is keeping up with sports, preparing for college, or having more free time.

When to Seek Extra Help

If your child continues to struggle with planning and prioritization, even after trying new strategies, consider connecting with school counselors or a tutor. Some students benefit from additional support to strengthen these skills and reduce frustration. Remember, every learner is unique, and growth takes time.

Tutoring Support

K12 Tutoring understands the challenges high schoolers face with planning and prioritization. Our tutors work with families to build personalized strategies that foster independence and confidence in struggling learners. By providing ongoing encouragement and expert guidance, we help students turn setbacks into stepping stones for future success.

Related Resources

• The Importance of Family Routines – HealthyChildren.org
• How to Help Your Child Develop Time Management Skills – Parent.com
• 5 Fun Ways to Help Develop Your Child’s Planning Skills – Foothills Academy (foothillsacademy.org)

Trust & Transparency Statement

Last reviewed: October 2025
This article was prepared by the K12 Tutoring education team, dedicated to helping students succeed with personalized learning support and expert guidance. K12 Tutoring content is reviewed periodically by education specialists to reflect current best practices and family feedback. Have ideas or success stories to share? Email us at [email protected].