Like many students at NHS, I’m having a hard time getting back into a school routine. It seems like every minute there’s something new to worry about. There’s homework, clubs, practice, work, friends, and more. Suddenly I’m swamped. So how are we going to adapt as students?
I like to set aside stress-free nights. I pick a night of the week to leave open, quickly get any homework done, and make my room a comfortable place. I do this by opening a window, lighting a candle, and/or making my bed. Maybe I’ll even go to the store and pick up a few snacks. Then I do whatever I want, (except doom scroll, that’ll make the overwhelming feeling worse). I might create something, find an easy doodle on Pinterest, or call a friend. Setting time aside to just be is the best thing to avoid burnout.
Another strategy to adapt to the school year is to learn the value of just letting things go. I find myself worrying about assignments I’ve already completed, questioning if I did well on a test. But it doesn’t matter. Once it’s over, it’s over.
Additionally, I give myself time to transition between tasks. After a test or quiz, if there’s extra time, I won’t start doing homework for another class. Instead, I’ll take a breath and play a mindless game on my computer. If I finish my math homework, I’ll text a friend or watch some TV. Breaks are key.
Be nicer to yourself and ease into this year. As Ferris Bueler once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
