Feeling like school work-life balance is an elusive concept? Welcome to the club! It’s already difficult to manage these two forces on normal days, and this seems even more impossible as we approach those nerve-wracking final exams. Juggling backlogs, review sessions, and the anxiety of not performing well on the actual test days—it’s a rollercoaster. Just when you thought that you’ve cracked the code to academic tranquility, life lets you know that it’s part of the equation.
“There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” - Henry Kissinger
The feeling of being overwhelmed, burnt out, and frustrated are only some of the emotions that students battle with when their schedules start to become hectic. Being a stellar student is tough, but the addition of being a teenager, a good child, and a reliable friend to the mix forms quite the stressful cocktail. Not to mention the extracurriculars, side hustles, hobbies, and interests that a student may have to deal with as well. Aside from happiness, health is also an aspect of life that cannot be brushed aside. Thus, managing mental and physical health adds to the multitude of things a high school student must remember on top of their day-to-day to-do lists.
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” - Stephen Covey
Your priorities are the choices you make in a world full of options. School work-life balance during hectic days will only be possible if you know how to prioritize what truly matters to you at the moment. To do this you’ll first have to craft your master plan. List down all your wants, needs, and must-dos, then break them down into smaller tasks. Experiment with the use of different organizational methods such as a checklist, the Eisenhower matrix, and time-blocking. If you’re a fan of strict schedules, throw in a plan B to condition your mind to flexibility. As the final exams draw near, you may need to sacrifice other things to make time for your studies. And that's okay, remind yourself that life goes on and this will be over soon. After all, nothing in life lasts forever!
“Work-life balance is not an entitlement or benefit. Your company cannot give it to you. You have to create it for yourself.” - Matthew Kelly
Armed with the tips I shared in this post, I hope you can dive into the chaos and figure out what works best for you. Remember to be patient and forgiving with yourself, especially if you’re new to the concept of balance. Trust me, stress and self-criticism is a dreadful combination. And if you can share this journey with trusted allies, that could make for an excellent support system.
However, keep in mind that if you’re looking at someone else’s journey, only take what resonates and leave the rest. Embrace your unique path and don’t try to fit yourself into the mold that others have created for you or for themselves.
Finally, to you, Monarch embarking on this journey, I wish you the very best. Believe in yourself—you've got this!
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