Society often encourages students to get straight A’s and take many Honors or AP courses as it helps them great ahead and allows them to take college courses at a reduced rate. Additionally, students are expected to participate in many extracurriculars in order to build their resumes for college and future jobs. These extracurriculars may be sports, clubs or other activities, and while being involved in so many things, students are still expected to make time to socialize with their friends. And then there are the students who have jobs or must help their parents by watching their siblings, making their schedules even busier.
According to the CDC 70% of high school students are not getting the recommended amount of sleep with many other studies linking this lack of sleep with students to finishing assignments or studying for tests. With all that being said, many students are being influenced by their parents into believing that a busy and rigorous class schedule with little time for themselves is normal, when in reality, students should have a balance of not just core classes but electives that will be specific for their interests and help explore different career choices and skills.
The Solution:
When thinking about and finalizing the courses that students plan on taking next year, it can be beneficial to not only think about both the credits that they need for graduation but what piques their own interests. Students should also take into account if higher level work loads are something that they can handle, and if it is actually worth it for them. A way to understand a class’ workload is by simply asking friends or peers about the class and how it compares to similar classes that students have already taken.
Not only should students take into account their class schedule, but they should also look at clubs they are involved in. If students feel overwhelmed going to club meetings, they should take into account why they are involved in the club. Is it because their friends joined? Is it a resume booster? Or is it because they actually enjoy the activities? After understanding what the reason is for being involved, students should reevaluate if they should continue to be a member of the club or not.
While high school is when most students get their first job, getting a job also means setting up shift availability and having a boss to answer to. Part-time jobs in high school are meant to be stepping stones into the workforce, however, if clocking in is a hassle that takes too much time in a student’s schedule, they should look back at cutting down their hours or, if necessary, giving their two-week notice. Whether students have been struggling with over scheduling for years or only a few weeks, summer is a perfect time to reevaluate and get some much-needed rest and relaxation.
Summer is there for students to recharge and enjoy activities that may not have time for in the school year. While many things should be considered when taking things out of a schedule, summer gives students the opportunity to see what is important to them when their schedule is not so full, allowing them to fully consider what they want their schedule to look like for the next year so that they are not over scheduling.
