High schoolers are juggling their lives more than ever. For many, it is not just about attending classes and keeping grades up; it is also about managing part-time jobs and extracurricular activities. 

Students who take on jobs during the school year often face unique challenges. Between long shifts and homework, their days can stretch late into the night. “The challenge is balancing everything. I take pretty hard classes and that requires a lot more work outside of school…I work 3 out of 5 school days and it definitely creates a stunt in how much time I have to complete my work,” Abigail Stewart (12) said.  

Many students are also in extracurricular activities like sports, band, or color guard in which the balancing act becomes even more demanding. Daily practices, weekend games, and long travel hours leave little room for rest. “During marching season there is a lot of commitment, especially with practicing and having to spend your own time practicing your music…there are also really long rehearsals,” Yzabel Mangalit (12) said.  

For high schoolers balancing both worlds, the experience may be exhausting, but it’s also shaping who they’re becoming.