With the second semester of school beginning, it is normal for high school students to find themselves feeling overwhelmed with the increasing workload. Balancing schoolwork, jobs, extracurricular activities, and friendships/ relationships can be very challenging at times, it may even lead to burnout. However, there are many strategies students can use to stay motivated and to avoid burning out during this difficult time of the school year.
A top contributor to burnout is poor time management skills. Some easy things like investing in a planner or calendar can help to organize important dates, tests, and assignments to make things less overwhelming. Another helpful tip can be to break up large assignments, projects, or studying into multiple small parts to complete over a period of time, rather than procrastinating. Setting aside specific time for schoolwork, hanging out with friends, and extracurricular activities can help to create a healthy balance of time.
Another good thing for high schoolers to keep in mind is setting realistic goals. Students should set progression goals in personal, social, and academic aspects of their life, rather than striving for perfection. An example of this strategy could be instead of only settling for A’s of exams, a student could have a goal of improving on every exam. Setting realistic expectations for oneself can build confidence, as well as ease pressure on day-to-day activities.
One of the most important things for students to do Is to practice self-care, a healthy body and mind are essential in preventing burnout. Things you can do to practice self-care are prioritizing sleep (getting 7-9 hours every night), maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. It is also important that students take time for themselves, as well as taking time to relax. It is beneficial to dedicate time to sports, hobbies, spending time with friends and family, and spending some time alone. Many people enjoy relaxing by doing calming activities like reading, drawing, watching a show, or listening to music.
Focusing on organizational skills, setting realistic expectations, and self-care can help high school students stay happy and motivated throughout the rest of the school year. Although burnout may feel inevitable, it is possible for students to thrive with healthy habits.
