Making time for everything is one of the hardest things to do in high school. You have to balance school, friends, family, chores, fun, and extra activities all at once. Here’s what I do to make it all work.

1. Plan everything out

It helps so much to plan out your week. If you know beforehand that you have a test, or any special extracurricular activities, it helps to know how much time you then have to do things like hang out at home or hang with your friends.

2. Make a list

Make yourself a list of everything that you need to accomplish. This way, when you’re planning everything out, you have something to reference so you don’t miss anything that needs to get done.

3. Figure out your priorities

Figure out what order you need to get everything done in. For instance, make sure to have your chores and homework done before you decide relax. It’s very important to stay on top of the things that absolutely need to get done before you do anything else.

4. Set limits for yourself

Limit the amount of time you spend doing things like watching TV or taking naps. Use some of your extra time to read, write, or do something else productive. This will make you feel like you are getting better use out of your time, and it will help you to get more done.

5. DON’T PROCRASTINATE!

Procrastination is the biggest downfall of teenagers (myself included). Don’t push things off until the last minute. This will only leave you stressed. If you have a big project, take a little time to work on it every day until you are finished.

Trying to manage time is one of the hardest things about school. Figuring out a way to manage your time is one of the most important keys to being successful. These are the steps that I have figured out work best for me, and now it’s time for you to figure out a method that works best for you. You can go to school and still have a social life; you just need to find the right balance.