High school often feels like a never-ending juggling act, with assignments, tests, extracurriculars, social commitments, and family responsibilities all pulling you in different directions. Feeling like you are always running out of time is a common way to feel overburdened. I know exactly what that feeling is like. It was to the point where I was barely holding it together while trying to keep up. Every experience has a valuable lesson they say and what I took from constantly being in chaotic situations is this: setting priorities.
Today, we’ll explore how prioritization can help you manage what feels like a crippling workload helping you get through High School while staying sane at the same time (mostly).
Why Prioritization is a Game-Changer
“Work smarter, not harder” is a common saying, but what does it really mean? Prioritization is fundamentally about realizing that not all tasks are made equal. While some require your immediate attention, others can wait or perhaps don't require any action at all. The first step to achieving the peace that you are looking for is acknowledging what needs to be done right now and what can wait. Doing this will not only reduce your stress, but will also save your time.
Consider this: No one expects you to do everything all at once. Effective prioritization releases you from the need for perfection and allows you to focus on the things that really count.
How to Prioritize Like a Pro
1. Start with a Brain Dump
Sometimes, your to-do list can feel like an endless ladder. You’re stuck trying to brute force one task after another in hopes of it ending. All that’s pushing you forward is the thought of a nice long rest. A lot of the time that 'res’ never comes and you begin to feel like Sisyphus. In times like that it's crucial to have all your tasks written down in front of you. Grab a pen, pencil, or tablet and write down all your tasks, whether it’s finishing an essay, cleaning your room, or emailing a teacher. Seeing everything laid out gives you clarity and makes your workload feel more manageable.
I’ve found this process particularly helpful during exam season when it feels like a thousand deadlines are coming at once. Tools like Notion, Todoist, or even a plain notebook work great for this step. You can even ask AI to help you organize your to-do list to make sense of what you have to get done.
2. Sort with the Eisenhower Matrix
Now that you have all your ideas on the table, a simple way to sort them is through the Eisenhower Matrix.
Divide your tasks into four categories:
- Important & Urgent: These are your top priorities. Focus on them first.
- Important, Not Urgent: These tasks are still essential but can be scheduled for later.
- Not Important, Urgent: Try to delegate or minimize these.
- Not Important, Not Urgent: Consider eliminating these altogether.
Using this method, you can identify what truly requires your attention and avoid wasting energy on distractions.
3. Break Big Projects into Smaller Steps
Large tasks can be really scary which often leads to procrastination. Take it from me personally. As an art student, a lot of my assignments take a crazy amount of time, and in the past I would frequently let procrastination in through the front door. Sometimes it would take me days to finish one piece! Not to mention all the other pending assignments I had asides from art. So instead of thinking “I have to finish my math homework,” (or whatever it may be) divide your large tasks into smaller ones and set dates to complete them. Obviously I would recommend you using a calendar for this be it a physical one or digital.
Learning the Hard Way
Earlier this year I fell behind on my art assignments and they began to pile up. The stress of trying to complete them all at once caused me to fumble in all my other subjects as well. At the time I was also assigned a group project and had several extracurricular activities going on as well… I know… it was bad. The 2 weeks in which this took place were probably the worst few days of my life. All because I didn’t understand the importance of prioritization.
That experience taught me the importance of prioritization. Now, I tackle important tasks first, break my workload into manageable steps, and say no to distractions or other tasks (if possible) when I'm swamped. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s made my life a lot easier—and I’m a lot calmer for it.
Wrapping It All Up
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself of Nelson Mandela’s powerful words:
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
This simple quote reminds me to focus on one step at a time. No matter how big or scary a task feels, breaking it down into smaller pieces makes it manageable. One task done leads to another, and before you know it, the impossible becomes possible.
It's your turn now to share your go-to method for stress management and organization. Whether you use a digital tool like Google Calendar, sticky notes, a reliable planner or something completely different. I'd love to hear about it! Drop your thoughts down in the comments. Your thoughts could inspire others or might even be featured in the next post! Together, we can learn from each other and build a supportive community, and maybe also create the ultimate guide to getting through high school without losing your sanity (for the most part)
Stay tuned for the next post where we’ll explore the importance of taking breaks and why you most definitely need them!
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This blog is written by our amazing Student Ambassador, Mohammad Uzair Ali Khan, Space Tech Work Experience Program 2024 alumn.
