Tips on Finding Balance as a Nontraditional High School Student
By: Katelyn Fahrenbruck Weston
Being a high school student is a challenge! Being a high school student while having a job, raising a family, or maintaining extracurricular activities is even tougher! We’ve got some tips on keeping your life balanced while you juggle all your activities. Plus, we’ll make it quick - we know you’ve got things to do!
It can take a very intentional effort to succeed while in high school. Whether you’re an online student, a homeschool student, or are charting your own path through high school, it can be difficult to stay organized without the classroom environment. As a nontraditional student of any age or lifestyle, you’ll need to keep track of your activities, deadlines, and projects.
- Create A Schedule: Set aside specific times each day for schoolwork, work responsibilities, and personal activities. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your schedule and stay organized. Try organizational tools like color coordinating or setting reminders to help you!
- Prioritize: Identify which tasks are most important and prioritize them accordingly. You may do this every day or at the beginning of the week, either way, write out the tasks that must get done first. This will help you focus on what's most important and avoid getting overwhelmed.
- Stay motivated: Stay motivated by setting goals and working towards them. Remember to create goals for both the long and the short term! Monthly, weekly, or even daily goals will help you see progress with your work. Celebrate your accomplishments along the way to help you stay focused and motivated.
- Communicate with others: If you have work or personal responsibilities that may conflict with your schoolwork, communicate with your employer, family, or friends. Let them know your schedule and when you will be available to avoid conflicts. This will help them set expectations and will create a support system of people who know how hard you’re working to achieve your goals!
- Take care of yourself: Finally, remember to take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise regularly to help manage stress and stay focused. Remember to take time off when you need to to destress. Resting will help you be a better student and will improve every other area of your life!
Balancing school, life, and work as an online student can be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, it's definitely possible. We’re here to help you succeed both in this chapter, and the next!
