While this one is also quite obvious, I find that it is the hardest to follow through on. I have a pretty big sweet tooth and a love of junk food, but I recognized that I couldn't eat these things constantly. At lunch, I usually get sandwiches or pasta with chicken instead of pizza and burgers, and I try to eat fruit and vegetables at every meal. Fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins have numerous health benefits and do not contain the harmful chemicals and extra sugars that junk food does. However, I also eat junk food and desserts several times a week because I enjoy it. I have found that foods that are considered unhealthy are okay in moderation, as long as you exercise and eat healthy the rest of the week.

3.   Get enough sleep

            Everyone understands the enormous workload high school students receive each night, and we all feel the pressure to complete every last bit of it, even if it means we only get three hours of sleep. However, when we do not sleep long or well enough, our bodies do not get the full benefits of sleep. Sleep allows our brains and bodies to rest and recharge, and even slight sleep deprivation can affect our memory, judgment or mood. Most people also tend to feel more stressed when they do not get enough sleep. Ideally, every student would be getting eight or nine hours of sleep each night, but that is not always reasonable. Do your best to get at least seven hours consistently.

4.   Prioritize

            Sometimes we all have those nights where the work just keeps piling up, and we do not have time to complete it all. I have found that the best way to manage an enormous load is to make a list from most important task to least important. Things like tests, quizzes, papers, and projects tend to count for more of your grade than homework, so these should be at the top of the list. You should also consider the due date; if you have a project due in a week, you should complete all assignments due the next day before working on it. Remember, weekends are a great time to catch up on work you may have fallen behind on, or you can use the time to get ahead. Finally, your teachers just want to help you. When I feel I have too many assignments due on one day, I often talk to one or more of my teachers about getting an extension. I have found that they are usually happy to give you extra time, as long as you have a valid reason.

 

5.  Do something you love

         As I mentioned above, students have such heavy workloads that they do not have enough time to sleep, let alone pursue their hobbies. However, finding even half an hour each day to relax and do something you enjoy can help calm you and clear your mind. An easy way to find time is to sign up for an elective that you would have fun taking. For example, if you enjoy drawing, sign up for art. It will give you a nice break in your day to collect your thoughts and lower your stress levels. You can also use the weekends to hang out with friends, read, play an instrument, or do whatever else you might enjoy.