With the start of new academic year, many teens are worried about balancing their life, their academics and their extracurricular activities. Juggling all of one’s school responsibilities with one’s athletic schedule, volunteering commitments along with one’s family and social life is not going to be easy. However, it can be manageable when students set goals, establish priorities, and are intentional about their use of time.
The first step is for the student to establish some goals for the year – this could include both short-term goals (such as the grades they wish to obtain by the end of the term) and long-term goals relating to university and a career. Next, the student can put together a list of their commitments and gauge the value of each. Activities which have been sustained over a longer period of time, where the student has leadership or potential to gain leadership and have impact, activities where the student has shown initiative, are ones to hold onto. Other activities where a student is a casual member, which have been less meaningful to the student, can be dropped. Your time is limited and you have to be mindful of how you spend it.
It is important to determine what your values are and make sure that activities you engage in reflect those values, pointing you in the direction you wish to be headed – including your community service engagement/s. My advice to students is to choose activities they know they will enjoy, activities that will challenge and intrigue them instead of choosing activities that give them no joy but could look impressive to university admissions officers. Many times, when students make an effort to find initiatives and experiences which stimulate their creativity and leadership, they will find more enjoyment in that activity, and it will feel less of a chore. As well, having activities that reduce stress, such as playing a musical instrument, engaging in an artistic endeavor, or participating in a sport or yoga/meditation are a must to help young people maintain their emotional well-being.
Academics are always a top priority and students should set aside a block of time daily to spend on their schoolwork. Social media is a great distraction for this generation of teens and putting away one’s phone so that one is not constantly interrupted by messages is the best way to tackle the issue of time. Setting up a daily routine and having some strategies that work for you are important. As well, getting enough sleep is essential, allowing your mind and body to recharge.
Finally, some students find room for many activities while others prefer to concentrate on just a few. In either case, it is important to know your personal limit and engage in activities that feel right for YOU, as well as to pay attention to both your physical and emotional well-being!