Do you ever find yourself stressed beyond belief, not really knowing how to manage your time to get things done better and quicker while juggling a job and school?

Many students in Stroudsburg High School feel this way as well. Nearly 80% of high school students work at least a part-time job during the school year to either pay for gas money and/or to save money for college.

For example, senior Hailey Winham is pursuing a marine biology major with a full ride to Kutztown University. Winham has completed the rigorous college search, yet she still works and participates in extra-curricular activities at SHS.

Winham explains how she balances everything. “I do have my schedule open at work for every day of the week,” Winham said. “I asked to start work at or after 4:00, so I have time to do clubs and hopefully get some homework done before work starts. I usually stay at work anywhere from 8:00 to 11 o’clock, and make sure I get to sleep at a reasonable time.”

But what about making time to apply for colleges and scholarships if you haven’t been accepted already?

“I hate wasting my day, so I wake up really early get things done that need to be done,” said senior Natalie Jean.” At the end of the day (and once I’ve completed everything I need to do), the only thing left to do is my college applications. So it helps me focus better.”

How did they keep track of all the deadlines for scholarships and applications?

Another idea is keeping a daily planner to keep track of everything. As studies show, teens who keep some kind of written schedule are more likely to reach their goals. Teens who keep separate schedules for each of their responsibilities (school, sports, social life, work, etc.) reach even more of their goals. Many students utilize planners for setting and reaching goals.

“I keep goals in my planner for applications deadlines such as a big deadline coming up on January 15,” said senior Bailey McMahon.

Using a planner to make deadlines and to complete requirements has proven successful. For example, a Harvard Business study found that the 14 percent of students who have goals are 10 times more successful than those without goals. The three percent with written goals are three times more successful than the 14 percent with unwritten goals.

To reach all those daunting deadlines, students must make sure to tell employers the times they are available so they can work around the schedule. Work can get in the way of completing applications before the deadlines, so make sure to put work on the back burner in order to focus on applications. Finally, those imminent deadlines might seem a little less formidable by setting goals. Whether the goals are small or big, a sense of achievement goes a long way.

Link to helpful time management tips:
https://www.thebalance.com/time-management-tips-2947336
Link to helpful time management apps:
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/top-15-time-management-apps-and-tools.html