The final bell rings, but for many students, the day is far from over. Between homework, job shifts and maintaining a social life, Stevenson students are juggling more responsibilities than ever and learning quickly that balance doesn’t come easy.
While the demands of high school can feel overwhelming, students who develop strong time-management habits are not only keeping up—they’re building skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Planning ahead is often the difference between staying afloat and falling behind. Chlouie Canup ’27 said she relies on structure to keep her workload manageable.
“I make sure to do my schoolwork first before getting to my actual job,” Canup said. “If I know I have work right after school, I try to finish everything during the school day so I don’t have anything to worry about later.”
Keeping a consistent schedule also helps students avoid procrastination and unnecessary stress. When conflicts arise, Canup said she prioritizes what matters most.
“I try to have my schedule pretty much set, but if it changes, I always prioritize my academics over work,” Canup said. “For my social life, I just reschedule if something overlaps.”
Despite careful planning, burnout remains a common challenge. Olivia Araj ’28 who balances Advanced Placement classes with a job, has developed her own system to stay on track.
“I make a list in my head of what I need to do, starting with things that may not take as long,” Araj said. “When I feel myself getting kind of overwhelmed, I step away from the computer.”
Weekends often provide a reset, giving students time to reconnect socially after busy weekdays.
“I plan with my friends over the weekend because a lot of us aren’t available after school,” Araj said. “We’ll go out for dinner or shopping.”
For others, long work hours make balance even more difficult. Michael James ’26 said prioritizing is essential when time is limited.
“It can be hard to balance my job and school, especially since I work all afternoon,” James said. “I put school first, then my job, and everything else comes after that depending on how much time I have.”
School counselors say students who successfully manage these competing demands tend to share similar habits. Counselor Carla Hotts points to organization and communication as key traits.
“Students who balance all three tend to be organized, motivated and self-aware,” Hotts said. “They also communicate well with teachers, employers and family members when they need support or flexibility.”
Hotts emphasizes the importance of planning ahead to avoid last-minute stress.
“Using a planner or digital calendar to map out deadlines, work shifts and personal time helps students see their full schedule,” Hotts said.
Setting boundaries is just as important as staying organized, she added.
“Students should know when to say no to extra shifts or social plans if they’re feeling overwhelmed,” Hotts said. “Balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly—it means knowing your priorities and taking care of your mental health.”
