Nov. 4, 2024
By Debra Ogunbowale
Webmaster
Going into high school, I never would have imagined the intense workload I have as a junior. From waking up early in the morning to coming home late in the evening, my schedule is always filled with events, leaving little to no time for relaxation.
Since eighth grade, I have been a member of the LHS marching and concert band, working hard to learn the music and aiming to become a skilled player in the mallet percussion section. During marching band season, volleyball, which I have been a part of since my freshman year, is also underway. My involvement in both activities often requires me to split my time or choose one over the other.
Volleyball practice ends at 5:30 p.m.,and then I have to rush over to a rehearsal that started at 5 p.m. and won’t end until 9 p.m. Friday night lights are even more hectic when I have away volleyball games because then I have to hurry to make it back home in time for the band’s halftime performance, for which I receive a grade.
In addition to band and volleyball, I am also involved in several clubs offered at LHS. In these clubs, I hold leadership positions, including being the vice president of my class, secretary of Wonder Girls, public relations officer for the Future Business Leaders of America Club and more.
To remain productive, these clubs have monthly lunch meetings. Lunch meetings are often deal breakers for students who do not want to give up their lunchtime, but I don’t mind because they are an opportunity to improve the school and get behind the scenes in the decision-making process of certain clubs.
Having understanding teachers, coaches, teammates, family and friends makes my level of participation extremely worthwhile.
After a long day of tiring activities at school, I dread coming home to settle down and tackle the homework awaiting me. I check Google Classroom repeatedly and spend over two hours every evening making sure my work is up to par and is submitted on time. This is especially difficult with the Virtual High School American Sign Language II class I take, which has different deadlines than my regular high school classes, causing me to sometimes forget about assignments.
Despite a heavy workload, I prioritize rest. Getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important to avoid disorientation the following school day.
Outside of school, I attend a youth group at my church every Wednesday. There I take pictures, organize and decorate for upcoming events, as well as serve on Sundays. Besides going to church, I like to read, listen to music, ride my bike, hang out with my friends, go shopping and sing songs with my parents while keeping my social life well-balanced.
To remain organized, I create a to-do list and use a virtual calendar to schedule deadlines, practices and rehearsals.
Finally, developing a healthy balance and remembering to put myself first is the key to my success. There are pros and cons to being involved in so much. The cons include experiencing burnout, stress and neglecting personal relationships, but the pros outweigh the cons. Being heavily involved gives me adaptability, networking opportunities, time management skills and more.
Having understanding teachers, coaches, teammates, family and friends makes my level of participation extremely worthwhile. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to handle doing as much and not let the stress overwhelm me.
I wouldn’t change a thing about my busy schedule as it has given me a chance to advance positively and connect with amazing people who motivate me every day. Each commitment has given me valuable relationships, and if I could do more, I would jump at the chance wholeheartedly because I know every involvement furthers my growth as a person and as a student.
