My layout wont listen to size I set and creates huge spaces between element

Question

I am having a small issue:
Here is an image with the issue:
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/darksniperx2/asg2_prob.jpg
Is there anyway to remove all of the extra spaces and that the program would follow with the size I specify?
code:
   public void initialiseComponents(final Container pane){
        //initialise panels
         mainPanel.setLayout(new GridLayout(2,1));
         topSection.setLayout(new GridLayout(1,3));
         mainGrid.setLayout(new GridLayout(21, 6));
        //initialise components text
         nameLbl.setText("Enter you name:");
         timeSchLbl.setText("Time scheduler");
         chkBoxNotificationLbl.setText("Check on the check boxes");
         timeLabel.setText("Time");
         modayLabel.setText("Monday");
         tuesdayLabel.setText("Tuesday");
         wednesdayLabel.setText("Wednesday");
         thursdayLabel.setText("Thursday");
         fridayLabel.setText("Friday");
        //add compenents to topSecion
         topSection.add(nameLbl);
         topSection.add(timeSchLbl);
         topSection.add(chkBoxNotificationLbl);
         //add components to mainGrid
         mainGrid.add(timeLabel);
         mainGrid.add(modayLabel);
         mainGrid.add(tuesdayLabel);
         mainGrid.add(wednesdayLabel);
         mainGrid.add(thursdayLabel);
         mainGrid.add(fridayLabel);
         setCheckboxes();
         //add layouts
         mainPanel.add(topSection);
         mainPanel.add(mainGrid);
         pane.add(mainPanel);
    private static void createAndShowGUI() {
        //Create and set up the window.
        asg2 frame = new asg2();
        frame.setSize(1000,900);
        frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        //Set up the content pane.
        frame.initialiseComponents(frame.getContentPane());
        //Display the window.
        frame.pack();
        frame.setVisible(true);
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        javax.swing.SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
            public void run() {
                createAndShowGUI();
    }

Answer 1

Hold it right there, I did not say that GridLayout was no good. It is perfect for your other two panels, but not for mainPanel.
... which one do you think would be better or serve this situation?First, check out the link Mr Burke gave you from the previous post -- you're going to need to know all those Layouts presented that tutorial anyway. I try to use the default Layout on a Container if possible. I personally like the GridBagLayout, but it is much more difficult to use and understand than the other Layouts in the tutorial.
OP, don't think that any of these solutions come easy or fast -- there is a lot of studying and practicing to do. Try all the Layouts and see what happens, until you have no doubts about which one to use for your app.