The Perception and Management of Time in Primary and Secondary School Students
Silvia Perzolli, Liliana Carrieri, Rebecca Barbieri, Laura Semenzin, Sara Todeschini, Elena Benini, Paola Venuti
This study investigates the perception of time across different developmental stages, involving 495 students aged 6 to 9 years. Methods varied by age group: children were asked to graphically represent how they would spend their free time, while focus groups were conducted with pre-adolescents and adolescents. The results indicate that children prefer social activities (33.8%) and sports (30%). Among pre-adolescents, 70% feel they waste time when not engaged in something useful or productive, and 45% report not having enough time. Similarly, 85% of adolescents perceive a lack of time, with 40% feeling they waste it on non-school activities. Additionally, the study reveals that school time is influenced by teacher competences (40%) and the activities conducted (30%). This preliminary exploratory study highlights the need to structure the educational environment based on students’ needs and to provide them with strategies to improve their time management skills, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being.
Keywords
Time, Students, School, School education, Focus group.
