Hello dear reader! As high schoolers, there are always big projects to do and important decisions to make. Finding the time for everything can most definitely be a struggle! What’s more, we are always pressured by being told to “enjoy our high school years while we have them.” Sometimes it’s just too much! I find that owning a planner can be super helpful by allowing me to write down and visualize my commitments. Using a planner can take some getting used to, but as long as you keep it updated with due dates, work shifts, and deadlines, it can take a lot of mental stress away to know that everything is in one place. You can buy a cheap one from Amazon for only $10!
Another thing that may help you manage it all is getting better at saying no. Sometimes when our boss asks us to cover a shift, or our friends are all hanging out and we don’t want to miss out, it can be hard to say no. But it is always okay to! Good friends won’t make you feel bad for staying in, and a respectful boss will accept that you have other responsibilities. No one should ever make you feel bad for prioritizing your own mental and workload-related needs!
The final tidbit of advice I’ll give may be a hard pill to swallow; sometimes, we just need to step away from the screens. Our phones can make it so hard to focus when we need to. They are designed to be distracting and addictive, and oftentimes they are not productive when you need to be! Deleting unnecessary apps or setting screen time limits could really help you to manage your time and keep from accidentally falling into a two hour doomscroll when you have downtime. Building good habits can help you build a more manageable life!
My dear reader, I hear your struggle. High school is hard! The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Everyone else is also leading their own busy life, and many people struggle with the same concerns as you. Be proud of yourself for being such a dedicated and hardworking person! Sometimes, living a committed life can be a lot, but if you do the things you enjoy and you focus on yourself first and foremost, things will always work out.