Finding Balance: School, Social Life, and Screen Time

Let's be honest—being a student today isn't easy. Between school, friends, activities, and the constant pull of your phone, it can feel like there isn't enough time (or energy, for that matter) to do it all. It's a lot to juggle– and you're definitely not alone in feeling this way. But here's the good news: balance doesn't mean being perfect at everything you do. It just means figuring out what matters most each day and giving yourself permission to just breathe.

Why Balance Matters for Teens

Juggling school, friends, extracurriculars, and phones can feel overwhelming. Poor balance can lead to burnout, anxiety, sleep issues, and falling behind in school. According to the American Psychological Association, teens with a healthy balance tend to have better mental health and do better in school.

Academics

To balance your school work, here are some tips and tricks you can try:

• Prioritize school work using a planner or calendar
• Break bigger tasks into smaller ones (chunking)
• Use the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of a break
• Avoid multitasking while studying– It might feel efficient, but it actually lowers your productivity, and makes it harder to remember things

Social Life

Spending time without screens with your friends is proven to reduce stress and build emotional resilience. According to JAMA Pediatrics, in-person interaction improves mental health more than just online chatting. Even a short walk or a snack run with friends can help recharge. It helps you reset emotionally in a way that screens just don't.

Screen Time

According to an NIH Study, excessive screen time = higher rates of anxiety or insomnia. Start by checking your daily stats– you might be surprised. Knowing how much time you're spending is the first step to make any real change.

To manage your screen time try some of the following hacks:

• Set screen limits using iPhone or Android (like Downtime or App Limits)
• Try "tech-free" hours each night –no screens during meals or 1 hour before bed
• Use apps like Forest or Flipd, or One Sec to stop impulse-checking social media

Tips for Maintaining Balance

• Set daily priorities: academics, people, then your phone
• Reflect weekly: What made you feel good this week? What drained you?
• Say no to things that stretch you too thin–protect your energy
• Make sure you're sleeping at least 8 hours every night– your brain needs it!

Remember– balance doesn't mean perfection–it means creating space for what matters. Life feels better when you run the clock, not your phone.