“Just make it to the end of the week, then another week, then another month and then it’s summer.” This mindset of distracting oneself from the present to get through hard times is highly common among students. The built-up tension from tiresome days has many students detaching from their current realities, instead finding comfort in what lies ahead. The way many are taught to keep looking to the future causes a displacement of emotions. Many find themselves avoiding their problems as they count down the days until the weekend or next vacation, telling themself it won’t be a big deal in a few days. Entranced by what’s to come, people are kept from fully engaging with the present and making memories to look back on.
One of the most common pieces of advice for high schoolers is to enjoy each year before graduation, yet many are struggling to enjoy high school week by week. The fast-paced schedule of assignments, tests and extracurriculars keeps students in a constant cycle of stress and stimulation, to be relieved only by a relaxing weekend or time off school. Likewise, high school functions as a stepping stone for further education, where every class or test score somehow impacts the future, standardizing an attitude of perfection for planning. Overwhelmed by their work, students fall into the mindset where everything is a task to be completed, not enjoyed. Family time, activities with friends and–most importantly–time for oneself appears less and less on the calendar.
The expectations for high school students are becoming more and more demanding with each year. Similarly, students plan for their future from a very young age, setting goals for self improvement. As students pass milestones, whether large or small, they often overlook the achievement and countless hours of work they put into it. While some accomplishments may seem small in the grand scheme of things or irrelevant for the future, each step is necessary to and worth reflection. Conversely, students feel the pressure when they don’t meet unreasonable, self-made goals or seem to be falling behind in comparison to other peers. Each person has their own timeline and different goals that tend to their strengths and weaknesses, making academic comparison ultimately disruptive.
A helpful tool to digest overwhelming emotions is reflection. By staying present, one can find joy in the simple daily moments instead of only being satisfied by a grand event. The mindset of constant anticipation often leaves people unsatisfied if it is not exactly what they imagined or passed all too quickly. Furthermore, many struggle when they can’t think of something in their near future to “get them through hard times”. With no relief in sight, how will they trick their mind into providing them relief? Instead of fostering this unhealthy cycle, disappointment can be avoided through reflection.
Following the phrase, “focusing on the task at hand”, students should prioritize maintaining a present mindset by challenging burnout and anxiety. Taking full advantage of fun times makes the best memories, but there is also value in the more difficult nights. Working through rough patches and negative thoughts builds discipline and shows mental strength. The learning process is never straightforward, but how they react to challenges shows character. Students should take more time to celebrate their efforts.
Whether it is taking a walk outdoors or journaling, people stay on task with smaller activities that are often overshadowed by events that take more mental stamina, either more stressful or exciting. Journaling prompts that entail writing down the highlights of the day or promote gratefulness, are effective at grounding any participant. When you look back on what you wrote, the measure of personal growth is often apparent and is something to be celebrated. Breaking out this mindset and taking comfort in something more attainable is a necessary relief in the monumental years of high school.
Ultimately, don’t decline opportunities because they don’t fit a certain standard of academic excellence. Spending time with friends, family and peers creates the memories you cherish for years to come. The worst experience is feeling like you missed out, especially on milestones that you underappreciated. Don’t go from day-to-day passively, and make the mental switch to control what you get out of each opportunity. Take time to experience, reflect and celebrate often.
