Challenge A: Comic – The Importance of Time Management

fanxiong

Title: “If You Don’t Manage Time, Time Will Manage You”

Updated: September 25, 2025
Author: Fan Xiong

Brief Project Intro

I wanted to help students understand the importance of time management through a relaxed yet educational approach. Compared to simple text explanations, comics, by combining images and context, are more relatable and elicit reflection. Time management is a challenge faced by all students. Many experience procrastination and staying up late, leading to anxiety, low productivity, and even impacted academic performance. Through intuitive storytelling, I hope to help readers see the stark contrast between “lack of time management” and “excellent time management,” and recognize that this is a skill they must value.

My goal is to convey a clear and profound message through comics: “If you don’t manage your time, time will manage you.” This will allow students to relate to their own daily habits, leading to reflection and improvement.

During the creative process, I discovered that translating an educational message into a comic script requires careful consideration of the authenticity of the context and the contrast. Making the message both concise and powerful is a challenge. At the same time, I’ve also come to appreciate the advantages of visual storytelling: the same content, presented in comics, is more engaging and memorable than text alone.

Understand Phase

Goal

To help readers recognize that time management is not optional—it is the foundation for balancing study, work, and personal life.

Audience

  • High school and university students
  • People prone to procrastination and last-minute cramming

POV Statement

Students who struggle with procrastination and lack of structure, need a way to see the real consequences of poor time management and the benefits of planning, because without awareness and strategies, they often experience stress, burnout, and underperformance during exams.

Learning Objectives

By engaging with this comic, students will be able to:

  • Recognize the negative outcomes of poor time management (stress, lack of sleep, inefficiency).
  • Understand that time is a limited, non-renewable resource that must be managed deliberately.
  • Differentiate between unmanaged time (chaotic, last-minute cramming) and managed time (structured, efficient, calmer).
  • Reflect on their own habits and consider adopting simple strategies like planning and prioritization.
  • Value time management as a life skill that enhances both academic performance and personal well-being.

Plan Phase

Format

  • 12–14 panels comic
  • Characters:
    • Alex (student who lacks time management)
    • Narrator (serious tone, guiding reflection)
    • Peer Student (represents someone who manages time well)

Script

Panel 1
Image: A calendar marked “Exam Week.”
Narrator: “Everyone has the same amount of time.”

Panel 2
Image: Alex scrolling on the phone in the dorm.
Narrator: “But some choose to waste it.”

Panel 3
Image: A peer focused on studying in the library.
Narrator: “Others choose to manage it.”

Panel 4
Image: Alex panicking as days fly by.
Alex: “Only a few days left? I haven’t studied anything!”

Panel 5
Image: Peer checking off items on a study plan calmly.
Narrator: “Those with a plan feel less anxious.”

Panel 6
Image: Alex staying up late with piles of coffee cups.
Narrator: “Without time management, anxiety and exhaustion take over.”

Panel 7
Image: Exam day—Alex looks tired and distracted.
Narrator: “Lack of time management lowers efficiency and performance.”

Panel 8
Image: Peer answering confidently in the exam.
Narrator: “Good time management allows true potential to shine.”

Panel 9
Image: Alex staring at the calendar, reflecting.
Narrator: “Time never comes back once it’s gone.”

Panel 10
Image: Large bold words written on a blackboard.
Text: “If you don’t manage time, time will manage you.”

Panel 11 (Ending)
Image: Alex starts writing a study plan in a notebook.
Narrator: “Time management doesn’t make you busier—it makes you clearer.”

Principles Applied

  • Relevance Context: The story is set in realistic student situations, so readers see their own lives reflected.
  • Contrast: The comic visually compares unmanaged time with managed time, making the lesson clear.
  • Cognitive Load Management: Each panel communicates one idea at a time, keeping the flow simple and avoiding overload.
  • Emotional Engagement: The stressful feelings of cramming versus the confidence of preparation connect with students’ real emotions.
  • Memorable Signaling: The bold message — “If you don’t manage time, time will manage you” — serves as a lasting anchor.

PEER FEEDBACK

Based on the feedback I’ve received from colleagues, the general consensus is that this comic’s theme resonates with students’ lives. By contrasting Alex with his classmates, the work effectively illustrates the anxiety and chaos caused by poor time management, and the calmness and efficiency that comes with good time management. This striking visual contrast is more persuasive than simple didacticism. The ending, where Alex begins to change his habits, provides a positive and practical conclusion to the story.

Suggestions for improvement include incorporating more specific time management methods (such as to-do lists and reminders) into the comic to provide students with practical solutions they can immediately implement. Another suggestion is to include a “failure moment” in Alex’s story, allowing readers to experience setbacks alongside the character and then compare the results of their transformation. Experiences of failure often elicit stronger memories than successes. Furthermore, the background and transitions could be more complete, with added details or subtle animations to enhance the contrast and plot coherence.

Overall, the work’s message is clear, the story is grounded in reality, and its educational significance is strong. Adding more practical details and a more challenging twist would make it more layered and persuasive.

Reflect and Refine

The most effective aspect of my prototype was its clear presentation of the main theme through the contrasting storylines of Alex (who lacks time management) and his classmates (who are good time managers). This narrative approach made it easy for students to understand and resonate. The concise text within each panel kept the message concise and accessible, avoiding cognitive overload. The striking final message, “If you don’t manage your time, time will manage you,” was well-emphasized and left a lasting impression.

A key question raised by my peers was how Alex truly learned to manage his time, and what tools or methods would be practical and effective for students. To address this, I planned to integrate specific time management techniques (such as lists, scheduling, and setting priorities) into the narrative, making it both motivating and instructive.

Through my own reflection and peer feedback, I realized that the prototype could incorporate more specific time management methods—such as to-do lists, calendar reminders, or the Pomodoro technique. Another suggestion was to include moments where Alex experiences failure or its immediate consequences (such as a poor performance on an exam), followed by reflection. This would make the story more emotionally impactful and authentic.

The advantages and limitations of this type of multimedia learning.

The greatest advantage of comics as a multimedia learning tool is their ability to combine visual storytelling with concise text, making abstract concepts easier to understand and remember. They are engaging, relatable, and accessible to a wide range of learners. However, their limitation lies in their need for brevity—there isn’t enough space to fully explain theories or provide detailed steps. Therefore, comics should serve as an introduction to spark interest and awareness, while subsequent courses or resources can provide deeper learning.

Final Version – Comic

If You Don’t Manage Time, Time Will Manage You

References

Canva. (2025). Canva. https://www.canva.com/

Granchelli, Adrian. (2025). Theories of multimedia learning EDCI 337. Educational technology Uvic. https://edtechuvic.ca/edci337/2025/09/05/theories-of-multimedia-learning/