What Students Really Need to Focus on

School is a very busy time. Most students in high school or college don’t seem to have any free time anymore. Their day is filled to the brim with school, sports, extracurriculars, homework, and spending time on their phone. Today, the average teen is completely missing the mark on what truly matters in life.

All of the things I just listed are important (except, of course, the phone part). They help students every day to accomplish their academic and athletic goals, set them up for success in the future, and teach them valuable lessons about hard work and discipline. However, these are not the most important things in life. Teenagers today are spending less time with family and friends than they did a few years ago. This is not good at all. Although school, sports, and extracurricular activities are a healthy part of growing up, spending time with family and enjoying yourself with a few friends is really just about as important of an activity as you can get.

Life is busy, and it always will be. For most students, college is just as busy, if not more busy, anxious, and nerve racking as high school. The most important thing to take away from school and sports is time management. High school is supposed to teach students how to best manage their time, while still trying to achieve their full potential. But the most crucial part of that time management is the amount delegated to spending time with the people you love. Nothing will ever come close to being this important. Aside from contributing greatly to mental and physical health, spending time with our friends and family is the best, most foolproof way to get away from the stress and chaos that is high school and really reconnect with those around you. Never underestimate the power of spending a few hours with the people you love.

• James S., 11th Grade