How to Balance School Life and Co-curricular Activities

How to Balance School Life and Co-curricular Activities

1. Set Little Deadlines

  • Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. 
  • Assign specific timeframes for each smaller task. This helps reduce overwhelm and creates a sense of accomplishment as you complete each step. 
  • Adjust deadlines as necessary, depending on your progress or any changes that come up. 

2. Review Reminders Every Night Before Going to Sleep

  • Set aside a few minutes each night to review your to-do list. 
  • Reflect on what you accomplished during the day and what’s still pending. 
  • Adjust or prioritise tasks for the following day. 
  • This helps you mentally prepare for tomorrow, reducing stress or anxiety. 

3. Before Going to Sleep, Think About Tasks for Tomorrow

  • Take a moment to mentally organise your day ahead. 
  • Consider what needs immediate attention and what can be tackled later. 
  • Visualise success to help set a positive mindset for the next day. 

4. Don’t Try to Multi-task 

  • Focus on one task at a time for better efficiency. 
  • Multi-tasking can lead to mistakes and lower the quality of your work. 
  • Research shows that multi-tasking can actually reduce productivity in the long run. 

5. Focus on One Thing at a Time

  • Prioritise tasks based on importance and deadlines. 
  • Minimise distractions while working on a task (e.g., turn off notifications, limit social media). 
  • Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused intervals. 

6. Finish One Thing Before Starting Another

  • Complete a task fully before moving on to the next. 
  • This helps maintain consistency and prevents tasks from piling up unfinished. 
  • Completing a task also gives you a sense of accomplishment and momentum. 

7. If You Can’t Seem to Concentrate, Switch Between Tasks for a Refresher

  • Take a break if you feel stuck on a particular task; switching to another task can provide a fresh perspective. 
  • Use this strategy sparingly to avoid constant task-switching that leads to distractions. 
  • Try doing something physically engaging (like a quick walk) to reset your focus. 

8. Always Seek Out Better Methods to Maximise Time Output

  • Stay open to experimenting with new productivity tools and strategies. 
  • Regularly evaluate your time management habits and refine them as needed. 
  • Learn from others (books, podcasts, mentors) about ways to improve productivity. 
  • Be willing to adapt your workflow for better efficiency over time. 
     

This week’s edition of Clued In was created by Catherine Li from your Student Communications Leadership team: 

Maya Garg (Year 12): Student Communications Prefect 2025 
Abby Christopher: Year 12 Leader 
Kitty He: Year 11 Leader 
Catherine Li: Year 10 Leader 
Nicole Fan: Year 9 Leader 
Charlotte Pang: Year 8 Leader