Finding balance isn’t impossible. It just takes some intention, a little prioritizing, and a lot of honesty with yourself and the people around you. Especially when we’re nearing the end of our high school careers, it can be tough to navigate your free time while making sure you fulfill your role as a student. Here are some tips to make sure you end out high school right.
First things first: school. Senioritis is real, and while it’s tempting to slack off, you can’t forget that your grades still matter. Also, setting good habits now will set you up for success later. The best advice I can give is to stay organized. Whether it’s a planner, a calendar app, or even sticky notes all over your desk, having a system to track deadlines and assignments is the key to success.
“So far, senior year has been amazing,” said senior Aava Glickman. “I don’t feel much pressure with time yet, but I can definitely see how it will be coming soon with all the exciting events taking place towards the end of senior year.”
That said, academics shouldn’t take over your entire life. This is your last year to make memories with your friends before everyone heads off in different directions. Your friends probably feel just as stressed as you do. Be intentional about spending time together, whether that means going to each other’s houses, grabbing coffee after school, or just hanging out at someone’s house. The key is balance: don’t sacrifice important schoolwork for social events, but don’t let your schoolwork completely take over your senior year, either.
“I think something that really has helped me with balancing my social life was starting my [college] applications early,” said senior Elle Matalon. “This really saved up a lot of my time and allowed me to spend more time with friends and family.”
It’s easy to push your family to the side when you’re caught up in the spiral of senior life, but the truth is, they’re your biggest supporters. Whether it’s cheering you on at sports games or just giving you space to vent, your family is there for you, even if they don’t always say it outright. Make time for them. That might mean eating dinner together a few nights a week or taking a Saturday afternoon to hang out with your siblings. They’ll appreciate it more than you realize.
“Spending time with my family is something that is very important to me,” said senior Layla Pourmoradi, “When I realize that I’m going to have a busy week, I make sure to set out time for them.”
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to communicate. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, let people know. Your teachers, friends, and family can’t help you if they don’t know what you’re dealing with. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to say no when you need to. You can’t be everywhere, do everything, or please everyone all the time. Senior year is crazy, but it’s also a time to grow, learn, and savor the moments that make high school special.
