Valedictorian Tips #2 pt. 1
Hey everyone!! I hope your week went well!
As I am writing this at 2 AM, my next tip for y'all is to learn how to manage your time. And, I totally get it if you click out of this post right now because hey, I wouldn't believe advice from a girl who has a messed up sleep schedule. Totally valid; however, I urge you to keep reading, and perhaps I can help stimulate some self-reflection.
I'll be the first to say that I was the. BEST. most ORGANIZED student my high school has ever seen when I was a freshman. I kept a detailed, highlighted, and sticky-noted planner tucked in my backpack that I'd whip out whenever the teacher so much as breathed. Right after sports practice, I'd take the fastest shower and plop myself into a comfy chair and grind out all my homework for the day. Then, I'd spend the rest of my time studying for future quizzes, rewriting notes after notes until a small pile of empty blue pens accumulated nearby.
That's right. All the ink in those pens. Gone.
That being said, you'd think that I would sleep at 10pm, perhaps, then wake up at 7am and do it all over again. And you'd be very, very wrong.
Because, while I was getting good grades, writing cohesive essays, and acing chemistry labs, I was also forgoing exercise, eating like trash, failing to practice my instruments, and texting friends that barely cared about me until 2 AM...
...which is, the time it is right now...
...except, now, not everything is the same. Instead of being surrounded by fake texts from fake friends late into the night, I'm writing this and doing the things I love: crocheting, writing, reading, sketching. It's peaceful. It's quiet. My roomates are asleep, and I'm able to work in silence---a welcome contrast to the cacophony that is dorm life. When I go about my day, I plan my studies around the commitments that are also important, like mental and physical health, clubs, research, hanging out with friends, and spending time with my family. Freshman me would have been appalled at the amount of time "wasted." Time that could have been spent studying.
And sure, maybe she's right.
In her eyes. But not in mine, and not in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade me's eyes either.
Find what's important to you, and create a schedule around those activities. It doesn't matter when you do them, as long as you DO do them. I find peace late at night. Some of my friends find peace early in the morning; but truly, manage your time to fit in everything that grows your soul and makes you happy, because yes, school is important, but so is your overall wellness.
And hopefully, you'll find that you have more time and patience throughout the day!