At Schreiber, students are constantly being told to “get involved.”  Simply participating means joining multiple clubs, playing sports, volunteering, taking difficult classes, and building a resume.  While these opportunities can help students grow, the pressure to do everything at once has created an environment where being busy is viewed as more important than being balanced. 

For many students, a normal day starts at 7 a.m. and ends long after homework is finished.  Between athletics, music, jobs, clubs, and homework, students often feel like there is no time for them to relax.  The problem is not that students are unmotivated or lazy.  In fact, the opposite is probably true.  Schreiber students are typically hardworking; however, the constant pressure to achieve more can turn locking in into stress. 

At a competitive school such as Schreiber, it can sometimes feel like everyone else is doing more than you, and social media only adds to that mindset.  Students scroll through posts showcasing awards, college acceptances, sports victories, and packed schedules, making it easy to feel behind and worse than everyone else.  What people do not usually post are the sleepless nights, anxiety, and exhaustion that often come with trying to keep up; they only post the good things. 

These societal traditions essentially have made “being busy” almost a competition.  Students sometimes feel guilty for taking breaks or spending time relaxing because it can seem unproductive.  Being drained from work affects mental health, academic performance, sleep, and even friendships.  When students are stretched too thin, the quality of their work and overall well-being can suffer. 

Schreiber should continue encouraging students to explore opportunities, but there also needs to be more conversation regarding balance.  Success should not only be measured by how many activities someone can fit into their schedule.  Figuring out what’s right for you and prioritizing yourself and health is much more important.  Students should feel comfortable choosing activities they genuinely enjoy instead of feeling pressured to do things only for college applications or appearances. 

Teachers, parents, and students all play a role in changing this mindset.  Focusing on balance instead of nonstop work could help create a healthier school environment where students feel supported rather than overwhelmed. 

High school should be an experience that goes beyond stress and competition.  Students should be able to challenge themselves while still having time to rest, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy their lives.  Being successful does not mean being busy every second of the day.  Sometimes, balance is the real achievement.