As students heading into college, we are finding out that it’s more than just adjusting to new academic requirements. There’s a lot going on with time management and personal growth that comes with all the new challenges we face. College is a mixed bag of experiences, and it’s not just about academics. It’s also about learning how to interact with others, figuring out the best ways to study, and picking up key life skills along the way.
Time management is a process of arranging how we will deliver our plans and outputs throughout the day or week. It helps us set our goals easier, avoiding multitasking and interruptions. It’s not time-consuming, as it enables us to accomplish tasks as planned or even faster. Without it, the result is often increased stress, insufficient sleep, and even a weakened immune system, leaving us vulnerable to exhaustion during class and hindering our learning.
Since we are Senior High School (SHS) students now, it is really the best time to set our plans properly—whether on a daily or weekly basis—especially with the heavier workload compared to our junior years. It becomes even trickier when balancing extracurricular activities with school responsibilities, making time management an essential skill to master.
An important aspect of this journey is communication between parents and teenagers, which can be tricky—especially when it comes to major life decisions. A big issue we are facing is the choice between online or in-person college. It’s not just about picking a college, it’s also about convincing our parents that going in person will help us in more ways than they might think.
Parents always want the best for us. They care, they protect, and their advice comes from love. But sometimes, it can feel a bit stifling. Talking to them isn’t always easy, but being open, honest, and ready for a real conversation is key. We need to hear them out, but also share what we’re dreaming about. It’s important for them to know that wanting to go to college in person isn’t about rebelling, it’s about chasing our dreams and becoming the people we are meant to be.
This decision has a huge impact on our personal and academic growth. It might be a tough conversation, but it’s one worth having.
In this season of our lives, we’re also learning how to manage our time. Balancing our schedules with schoolwork, spending time with family and friends, and finding moments for ourselves is tough. We’re getting better at creating good study habits while still making room for the things that matter. It’s not something that happens overnight, but we’re figuring it out. Finding our own pace, setting deadlines, and breaking big tasks into smaller, manageable ones have helped a lot.
But beyond time management, many of us are also grappling with the emotional weight of growing up. This transition into adulthood can feel overwhelming, and the uncertainty of the future can be daunting.
“I don’t want to grow up!” I whined to myself, tapping my foot to a rhythm that aligned with each fleeting heartbeat. Even at eighteen, these thoughts still haunt me. For the longest time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. As a Senior High School student, I was constantly asked, "What course are you taking? What job will you pursue?" I didn’t know. I’ve never known.
I’ve always been someone who loses interest quickly. Every passion felt like a fad that lasted no more than a few weeks, and now, I’m expected to commit my whole life to one thing. The thought scared me.
I’ve lived a pretty easy life, able to achieve things without much effort. But that’s not how the world works. Even when you’re emotionally drained, the world keeps spinning. It doesn’t stop for you.
You need to keep walking, even when it’s hard.
Growing up has been a tough transition. But, over time, I’ve learned to strengthen my mentality. Each trial I face is a lesson to be learned, not an excuse to give up. Life may be unpredictable, but I’ve learned to take a leap of faith and trust that I’ll be caught.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:26-27
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