All work and no play makes your Jack a dull boy. This is a famous proverb but it lacks an important message that there must be a balance between work and play. Jack is a schoolboy and for him, school, exams, and academics are a priority, but it highly clashes with his wish to be a part of clubs, sports, volunteer, and other hobbies. Now, the biggest concern here is how a school kid can maintain a perfect balance between extracurricular activities and academics. Obviously, maintaining a balance between both aspects is a very difficult task, but not to worry as we are here to help fellow students overcome this situation. So, let’s plan 5 strategies for balancing academic and extracurricular activities.
Learn to Manage
Learning the skill of managing things is a blessing that will take you to heights. If a kid is adhering to this skill at a younger age, then there is nothing better than this. Master the art of management by scheduling your daily tasks smartly. This includes planning for studies as well as extracurricular activities. If you have a lot to study and learn, then divide the time accordingly. Prepare a timetable or chart and work according to it. As per your schedule, if you are planning to focus on academics for 2 hours, then give 1 hour to activities that you prefer to participate in. For a better approach, you can also take the help of the school management system. Remember that to maintain a balance between the two; you need to focus on maximizing efficiency and minimizing wasted minutes.
Set Goals
If you really wish to maintain a balance between the two, then the fundamental step will be to set clear goals and prioritizing crucial tasks. Start by identifying the important tasks and then allocating them accordingly per the time. In the case of academics, choose subjects and work that needs to be done on priority. On the other hand, in the case of extracurricular, opt for tasks and activities that are most fulfilling or beneficial for your personal growth. In both cases, set realistic time and a sense of accountability.
Learn to Say No
In academic life, it is important to understand that time is limited, and you cannot do everything you wish. Out of excitement or curiosity, students sometimes join multiple clubs and take on a number of responsibilities, but this is not right. After a period of time, this becomes hectic, and the balance between the two messes up. Not only this, going overcommitted can decrease your performance in both extracurricular and academics. Therefore, think smartly and learn to say no to things and activities that don’t align with your goals and achievements. Be honest with yourself, and always remember to focus on quality over quantity.
Seek Support
For a school kid, managing and balancing academics and extracurriculars could be quite an overwhelming task. But you don’t have to do it all alone as there are people who can help you out. Ask your parents, teachers, peers, or elder siblings to help you in choosing the right way to complete all the tasks on time. Ask them about the extracurricular activities in detail and find out which one is best for you. If you are stuck in academics, then take the help of academic advisors. These people will not only guide and encourage you, but they will also provide the resources to you that might be useful.
Adjustment
As a student, you cannot always follow the same schedule, as some days are too busy while others are free. Therefore, for a better approach, you need to perform self-reflection to maintain a balance. Adjust and reschedule your tasks and commitments as per the requirements. Suppose your examinations are approaching, then adjust your time to extracurriculars and focus majorly on academics. Always keep yourself flexible for such situations, as it will help you find the right balance in life. Be ready to adapt and face challenges with full energy and dedication.
To maintain a balance between academics and extracurricular, you need to be smart, flexible, and disciplined. You cannot cheat yourself, as it will harm you in one way or another. So, if you want a balanced school life, then follow the 5 strategies mentioned above, as it will help you grow personally and professionally. Remember to face challenges with full potential and enjoy both academics and extracurricular to the fullest.
