As someone in a rush right now (and perpetually) with the semester wrapping up and way too many extracurriculars on her plate, I have often struggled with managing my time and giving myself space to breathe and process. Even now, I am struggling with the idea that, since I have three tests to study for and also an article due tonight, I might not be able to fit everything in, or my article might be too short for what I expect from myself… A few years ago, this would have felt like the end. Too much to do, too much to think about and not enough mental space for everything bouncing around the walls of my brain. This would lead to my freezing and not doing anything at all, or crying, or spending all my time obsessing over one task without paying any attention to the others. Now, as a high school student, I can experience these stressors and still be composed and efficient, allowing myself time to be upset, but working to reframe my mindset about my worth and productivity.
Here are some tips to help you manage your stress, time, and being forced into a rush when life already feels like one all the time:
- Write what you need to remember on a paper, planner or calendar rather than carrying it in your head all day. This stops you from spiralling and assures you that you won’t lose the memo
- If you are someone who struggles with procrastination and time management (like me), make a schedule with those notes. Make sure to keep them kind but firm, which to me means rewarding myself and rearranging things if needed, but also assuring I am not getting distracted while completing my tasks and homework.
- Have someone check in on you. I frequently have one of my parents set a timer on their phones and come check on how I’m doing with my work a bit later, which keeps me motivated and instils a sense of accountability.
- Build transition periods into your schedule so you can take body breaks (even scrolling breaks, if that works for you) to reset your mind and breathe. Just because sure to set a short timer to prevent your break from becoming a complete break-down of your careful plan!
- Listen to music you like. Most people struggle with lyrics, but I personally don’t have an issue and am more incentivised to complete my work when I am listening to upbeat music with lyrics.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help – communicate with teachers when you need something. They are always happy to help (and if they aren’t, that’s not a problem with you). It can feel vulnerable, but never mistake vulnerability for weakness. Asking for what you need is a sign of self-reflection, a growth mindset and ambition.
- I would also recommend setting time limits and using timers to combat perfectionism and actually finish your tasks. I used to never feel like doing anything because there was one minor section that could be improved in a miniscule way and I would obsess over it. That way you will never get anything truly “done”! This is another area applying the buddy system could work for you and certainly has for me.
- When something is overwhelming you, do the next small step rather than deciding to do nothing. It can be hard, but doing one trig problem is so much better than deciding to watch your show and “do it later’. Honestly, you probably won’t.
- Celebrate your small wins! Eat a yummy snack while you study or do something you enjoy after finishing.
- Organization = reducing stress, not perfection. Perfection is an unattainable goal, so why set it? You will never have success that way. Striving to improve and do your best fuels growth instead of anxiously obsessing about flawless results.
- Never think you are alone. I often felt like everyone else had it easy and felt no anxiety around productivity and focus, but I soon realised they hid it better than I realised.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, they are a crucial element of learning.
- Rest is not a waste of time. It took me way too long to learn this. Sometimes waiting to study until 11 at night doesn’t actually help you prepare for the test tomorrow, and what’s best is to sleep then, take the test and then reflect and make an action plan instead of feeling bad for accepting the reality of that night. It’s not giving up, it’s understanding a mistake was made and recharging your brain so that next time you won’t make the same one.
- Know what works for you! Many of the tips I have mentioned work for my learning style and strengths/weaknesses, but may not work for yours. Try some strategies out (simple usually beats complex), and learn more about yourself in the process. Always remember you and your abilities are inimitably valuable, and your 100% one day could be the same as your 15% another. You’ve got this (now I’ll go cram for my social studies dissertation)!!