Learning to Master Time—My Journey with Time Management and NLD
Good morning! In this chapter, we’re going to explore a topic that has shaped my academic, professional, and personal life in more ways than I could have predicted: time management. Whether you’ve struggled to keep up with assignments, underestimated how long a task would take, or found yourself feeling behind before you even got started—you're not alone.
I’ve faced all of these challenges, sometimes all at once.
A Childhood of Clock-Chasing
In middle school, I remember sitting at my desk for what felt like hours trying to write just one paragraph. I often cried out of frustration because I didn’t know what to write or how to get the thoughts out of my head and onto paper. My brain just didn’t process information fast enough.
In high school, things didn’t exactly get easier. Although I managed to stay on top of homework, tests were a major struggle. It took me much longer than my classmates to recall information during exams, and I had no idea why. I was working so hard, yet it often felt like I was running in place. At the time, I didn’t know I had Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD), a learning challenge that affects processing, organization, and executive functioning.
A Turning Point in College
College hit me like a tidal wave. For the first two years, I barely passed most of my classes. I knew something wasn’t adding up. Trusting my instincts, I pursued testing for a learning disability—and that changed everything.
Once I received my accommodations, the game shifted. I was no longer drowning in Cs—I was pulling A’s and B’s. One of the biggest factors? More time on tests. I had grown up homeschooled and was never exposed to the pressure of timed exams. College was the first time I had to deal with that, and it was overwhelming.
Through accommodations, I was given an extra 90 minutes for tests and allowed to take them in a quiet room. This minimized distractions and gave me time to process. I also discovered study tools that worked with the way my brain operates—like listening to class recordings and using the audio feature on Quizlet. That kind of auditory reinforcement helped me retain information more effectively.
From Student to Full-Time Professional
Fast forward to adult life—where time management is just as essential, if not more. I now have financial responsibilities like paying credit card bills, contributing to the household, and managing everyday tasks. I’ve also been working full-time for almost two years in a job I truly enjoy.
To stay organized, I use a tool called Daylite, a to-do list and project tracking program. It helps me manage appointments, long-term projects, and even collaborate with colleagues. I love the satisfaction of checking things off and visually seeing my progress.
One of the most effective strategies I’ve learned is prioritization. Back in school, I tackled the most difficult assignments first when I had the most energy and saved the easier tasks for last. This simple shift helped reduce stress and increase my productivity—a principle I still apply today.
For managing meals, I rely on an app called Paprika. It’s a recipe planner that also calculates grocery needs and helps scale portions—a lifesaver when managing both time and energy, especially with an LD.
Planning—One Step at a Time
I’ve also improved in planning at work. Take Easter weekend, for example. I made sure to leave out charts and lyrics for the music team well before their Saturday rehearsal and even communicated with my mom to make sure everything would be in place. It may seem small, but this kind of forethought makes everything run more smoothly.
At home, I’ve begun doing chores earlier in the week, like vacuuming, so that I can free up more of my weekend for rest or family time. Budgeting has also become easier, and I recently handled an unexpected car repair without going into debt—something I’m proud of.
Time Management Tips for Everyone (Yes, Even Adults!)
Here’s where I want to share some helpful strategies I found in two articles that resonated with me. The first one is “Time Management for Kids with Learning Disabilities” by Leslie Jocelyn.
Leslie emphasizes that time management often needs to be explicitly taught and practiced—especially for students with LD or ADHD. Here are a few standout strategies she recommends:
Use a planner – Visualizing a week at a glance can reduce anxiety and help with structure.
Start with the toughest task – Tackle difficult subjects first when energy is highest.
Show time passing – Use analog clocks to create a visual understanding of time.
Break tasks into manageable parts – Large tasks are less intimidating when split up.
Use timers – Timers and buzzers can help with self-monitoring.
Set work to music – Rhythm creates structure and helps some people focus.
Stay active – Physical movement can re-energize the brain.
These tips work for more than just students. I often use music to stay focused and timers to gauge how long a task really takes. Sometimes I overestimate how long something will take and feel relieved to finish sooner than expected.
Another article I found helpful is “Child Procrastinating: Why Kids Struggle with Time Management” by Julia Ra. She echoes many of Leslie’s suggestions but adds:
Use visual countdown clocks – Especially helpful for visual learners.
Plan breaks before fatigue sets in – Short, intentional breaks prevent burnout.
Break down steps even further – This helps kids (and adults!) who don’t know where to begin.
While these strategies are geared toward kids, they’re incredibly useful for adults too. Time management isn’t just about getting more done—it’s about reducing stress, feeling in control, and creating more time for what matters.
Finding What Works for You
Whether you use an app, a planner, a timer, or a playlist, the key is to find what works for your brain. Try one of the ideas mentioned here—or even better, use them as inspiration to create your time management system. It’s about progress, not perfection.
Sponsor Note: BetterHelp
I’m also excited to share that this podcast—and now, this book—is sponsored by BetterHelp. I’ve had seven years of therapy, and I can say from experience: therapy can change your life. Whether you're struggling with motivation, relationships, stress, or self-worth, you deserve support.
BetterHelp is online therapy tailored to your needs. You can do video, phone, or even live chat sessions with your therapist—no camera required. It’s more affordable than traditional therapy, and you can start within 48 hours.
Listeners of the podcast get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com.
A Gentle Nightcap: Sleepy Butterfly
Before I close this chapter, I want to introduce you to a new podcast I created called Sleepy Butterfly. It’s designed for people who are sound-sensitive, deal with migraines, or just need calming audio to fall asleep or meditate. You'll hear soothing nature sounds like water, wind, or rainforest ambiance—ideal for bedtime or quiet moments of rest.
You can find Sleepy Butterfly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
Let’s Stay Connected
I’d love to hear from you! If you know someone with NLD who might want to be interviewed, or if you have topic ideas for future episodes, reach out at livingwithNLD@gmail.com. You can also find more resources on my website, livingwithnld.com, or follow along on Instagram and Facebook under the same name.
Lastly, if you're looking for a quick and meaningful self-reflection activity, try journaling about your strengths and differences. Then brainstorm one small way to make one of those differences just a little bit easier to manage. You may be surprised at what you come up with.
Thanks for spending time with me in this chapter. Until next time!
