EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Teen Years
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A high school student's typical day is demanding: sitting through hours of classes only to bring home a stack of homework and a review sheet for the next day's chemistry test. Indeed, it sometimes seems that 24 hours isn't enough to do anything but study. This is the way I felt as I began freshman year, when I found out that grades actually counted. But after three years of high school, I've learned one thing: Having a balanced student life is far more important than stressing about a 4.0 gpa or 1600 SAT score. Think of student life as the food pyramid. If we don't eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, milk and protein, we could become unhealthy. Likewise, as students, we need to maintain a balanced schedule of studying, activities and leisure. The first step to having a healthy student life is to participate in extracurricular activities. High schools offer enough clubs to satisfy almost anyone's interests, from business to music. Sign up for clubs that you genuinely care about, not just ones that will look nice on your college application. For instance, I've had a passion for writing ever since I read my first "Hardy Boys" book in second grade. So I joined the school's newspaper staff. For those who aren't athletically challenged, joining a sports team is another good option. Not only will you be taking a deserved study break, you'll be burning off some of those calories after sitting at a desk all day. Even if playing sports isn't your forte, you can still participate in school events. Trust me, four years will go by in an instant, so take the opportunity. Yet a balanced student life doesn't only have to involve school. Perhaps you can give back to your community through volunteer work. Most schools have organizations like Key Club, in which you prepare food for the needy or do countless other activities. You also could try volunteering at a local hospital or library. Also remember that a balanced life should incorporate time for friends. Although you probably won't remember what the 33rd president did or how to calculate the velocity of a falling ball, you will always remember the friendships you made. With that in mind, weekends are a great time to catch a movie, grab a bite to eat or simply hang out. Last but not least, remember to sleep. You don't want to feel like collapsing every second from exhaustion. If you find yourself staying up past 2 a.m. to finish homework, you probably need to cut back on some activities. There's no doubt that academics should be the focus of a high school student's life, but it shouldn't be the only part. By following this advice, not only will you attain some balance, you'll make high school a memorable experience as well. Ryan Moy is a senior at Troy High School in Fullerton. |
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