Seniors Spread Thin

 By Zaynab Masood

High school students receive an excessive amount of homework, but the workload is known to decrease during senior year. Senior year is notorious for being the time when senioritis kicks in and kids can finally start to relax. However, for some students at Nottingham, the fight is not over yet. A variety of seniors have continued to take on many activities even through their last year of high school. While taking the toughest courses at school, these students are juggling numerous extracurriculars.

And why do they do this? The obvious reason may be for college applications, but taking on all of these extracurriculars is for more than that. Having new experiences is healthy; involving yourself outside of just your classes can help you to develop social skills. By being on a sports team, you can learn how to work with others. With a job, you can gain real-life experiences. Having a lot of extracurriculars can also help you cut down all of the free time you have and keep you from getting too lazy. In addition, as Sierra Mulrine points out, with all of the work you have to do, it is important to “know how to manage your time wisely” but also “know that having a lot of extracurriculars can teach you time management.”

Of course, as with everything, there is a downside. With so many extracurriculars, it’s easy to forget to take out a little time for yourself to relax and de-stress. Having time for yourself is important for your health. When scheduling your day, it’s important to keep these things in mind.

Inside Look on our Star Students:
  • Hifsa Chaudhry holds leadership positions in National Honor Society, Medical Club, and Caelestis, while also being captain of the tennis team, and volunteering at RWJ and St. Francis.
  • A member of the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP), Fedjine Victor is not only a member of the Math Club, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, Step Team, Haitian Club, and Newspaper, but she also plays field hockey, is a church secretary, is a children’s class director, is a Youth Director, and has a job.
  • Katina Pierre-Louis participates in the Step Team, Math club, Outreach for the Stars, Medical Club, and National Honor Society while being a part of PUPP, playing tennis, babysitting, and being a classroom assistant at KinderWorld EduCare Center.
  • President of the Medical club, Cameron DeMarie is on the wrestling team and track team, and he is a part of the Math club, Mock Trial, Future Educators, and National Honor Society.
  • Our Student Government President Julia Burns does Fall and Winter Cheer and Spring Track, while being a member of the Math club, Medical club, Key club, and National Honor Society.
  • Outside of school, Beatrice Boyce is a Youth Ladies Auxiliary #244 Treasurer and works at the Autistic Day Care; her after school extracurriculars consist of being the Senior Class President and Step Team Captain, while participating in the Math club, Art club, school play, Outreach for the Stars, French club, PUPP, Peer Leadership, and a variety of Honor societies.
  • Secretary of the Medical Club, Zainab Farooq a part of the Math club, Red Cross club, Tennis Team, Science club, Art club, set painting, Outreach for the Stars, Art Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and National Honor Society.
  • Sierra Mulrine is the President of the French club, Vice President of Key club, Vice President of Medical club, and Co-founder and Vice President of the Red Cross club; she also plays soccer and lacrosse.
  • In addition to dancing 12 hours a week, Amy Oliver is also the Mock Trial Captain, the Consumer Bowl Captain, and the Co-founder of the Red Cross club; she also participates in the Debate Team, Cheer-leading, and the Star Status Newspaper.
  • Molly Cuddy is a member of the Star Status Newspaper and Varsity Lacrosse Team, she writes for a magazine outside of school, is the Student Director of the school play, is a cast member of the play, and volunteers for Trenton Cats Rescue.
  • Last but certainly not least, Rachel Pierce is Vice President and co-founder of the Red Cross club, varsity member of the debate team, participates in set painting, is an Empower Hour tutor, softball player, co-editor of Star Status Newspaper,
    National Honor Society member, and Art Honor Society member. 

Advice from our Favorite Overachievers: 
  • “Write everything down and keep it in the calendar on your phone; it makes it much easier to remember and balance after school events, homework, and work.” - Cameron
  • “It’s good to be a well rounded student. Getting involved in extracurricular activities is only going to enhance your chances of getting into a good college. Balancing school work with these activities shows commitment and organization.” - Katina
  • “Schedule your free time efficiently to make sure to prioritize both your academics as well as your social lives, because you only get to do high school once.” - Julia
  • “Being well rounded allows you to be more experienced and networked. However, it's all about time management. At the end of the day, 'the sky can't be your limit when there are footprints on the moon.'” - Beatrice (and Paul Brandt)

Here are some useful links:
https://www.chegg.com/play/food-and-fit/health/signs-youre-spreading-thin/ 
​https://www.theodysseyonline.com/college-kids-spreading-thin
https://www.bustle.com/articles/171164-11-signs-you-might-be-spreading-yourself-too-thin-how-to-find-more-balance
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/27/academic-pressure-5-tips-_n_2774106.html
http://business360.fortefoundation.org/1799/4-ways-to-balance-academics-and-extracurricular-activities-2

It’s important to remember that there is no one right way to succeed. These students are just a few of many examples of excellent students. You don’t have to completely overwork yourself to do well. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Remember, mental and physical health comes first.