By Lauren Nguyen and Jennifer Trend, Staff Writers
Nowadays, high school students are experiencing much higher levels of stress that are comparable or even exceeding those of an adult, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association. Aside from the daily rigors of school, a hefty amount of students also participate in extra-curricular activities, like clubs or sports, adding to their ever growing list of responsibilities.
To juggle the multitude of responsibilities, it is necessary to utilize the limited hours we have to the fullest. Wise time management is key to achieving set goals without having to compromise sleep or success as a method of coping.
Tip #1: Use a planner
Planners are extremely useful tools in order to keep track of all your tasks and plan out your schedule for the day. Although taking it out multiple times throughout the day may seem like a hassle, it is no more of a hassle than forgetting an important task. Senior Ally Bebout, varsity soccer player, parliamentarian of ASB, co-president of Senior Commission club and employee at the local food store B Nutritious, credits her planner for allowing her to balance her hectic schedule.
“I time out every hour of my day in my planner so, when I get home I know exactly what I’m going to do. So, my homework’s all planned out, and sleep time and even my eating schedule,” said Bebout.
Additionally, using a planner will allow you to cross off the task you just completed, giving yourself a little boost of encouragement to stay on task.
Tip #2: Prioritize your tasks
In your planner or in a mental note, organize your tasks from most to least urgent.
“Make priorities, and focus on the things that are important to you and make sure you make those things happen,” said Monet Favreau, a former Baron who was the varsity song co-captain, varsity dancer and varsity swimmer.
This way, you’ll have a straightforward idea of which tasks should be completed and which can be pushed back a day or two.
Tip #3: Keep a positive attitude and stay motivated
It definitely helps to enjoy all the activities you are involved in. However, sometimes it may be difficult to maintain a positive attitude but, it is important to remember the reason why you began in the first place and where your effort will take you in the future. Know that while you may struggle to keep up with your responsibilities, you should always stay positive and remind yourself of what your end goal is.
Tip #4: Take time to de-stress
In all your planning, save a little bit of time to relieve stress by doing activities you enjoy. Little things like sleeping and eating will help you destress, as too much stress can create negative impacts.
Tip #5: Know it’s worth it in the end
Even if the goals you wish to acheive may seem out of reach or if the efforts you exert do not seem to be enough, rest assured it is. The stress and the worry you may feel today may not even matter tomorrow or in the long run so, keep your head up high, stay positive and know that your work is paying off.
“I always tell myself that if you keep pushing yourself, then you’ll have something in the end to be proud of. So if you stop now, you’ll never get there,” said Junior Charisse Vu, a competitive pianist and varsity tennis player who is enrolled in five weighted classes.
For those who struggle to keep up with your responsibilities, it’s not the end of the world. Granted, there will be instances in which you will lose track of time and find yourself wishing for a replica of Hermione’s time-turner but, as the phrase goes: c’est la vie. It’s life, and life goes on so, find a way to overcome procrastination and successfully tick off the responsibilities on your list one by one.
