Pace Yourself
October 17, 2005
Sometimes as high school students we get so caught up in the future. All of our attention is focused on what school we're going to go to or what our career will be. I feel like I need to just relax and be a kid right now. That does not mean I'm going to disregard my schoolwork. It just means I cannot get consumed by homework and tests. At some point, I have to just stop myself and take a break. If I do not, I think I may go insane.
It's important to be a diligent student, but trying to accomplish too many tasks at once can lead to sensory overload. It is vital to organize time wisely. Right now, I'm learning this the hard way. My history teacher was assigning optional worksheets every night to guide us through the material. As soon as I heard the word "optional" I immediately put the assignment at the bottom of my to-do list. Then, the night before the test, I frantically tried to understand and memorize 150 years of U.S. History.
I know that one history test won't determine my future, but the habits I build now will definitely determine my success throughout life. One way I try to organize my time is by taking a half hour after school, if I have no other activities, just to relax and give my mind a break. I'll start my homework and once I complete one subject, I'll take another break.
My biggest flaw in organization is procrastination. I have no motivation to do homework if it is not due immediately. I learned my lesson from my first history test, and I am now doing a section a night, so the information will make more sense, and studying for the next test will be easier. One way that I try to avoid procrastination is by telling myself that the assignment is due sooner than it really is.