In a busy week, sophomore Nicholas Arribas has to juggle three tests, two basketball games, one paper, one quiz and a whole lot of homework.
“If I don’t come home and immediately lock-in on my work, then I will get behind,” Arribas said.
Upper School Academic Dean Jennifer Kuhl often meets with students to find ways to balance their intense schedules.
“Our students have a lot of things that fill their time, whether it’s scheduled practices, fine arts, athletics and academics; it’s always a balancing act,” Kuhl said.
Due to the similar unit progressions of many classes, test and paper schedules from different departments can converge in the same week. Without planning, work piles up quickly.
Procrastination is defined as the chronic and deliberate avoidance of difficult tasks. Physiologically, brains can view an approaching deadline or major exam as a threat. Researchers believe the very mechanisms that once kept humans from predators are the same ones that cause this avoidance of work.
Ben Sandberg is also a busy sophomore, balancing two AP classes and both club and school sports.
“Sometimes there is just so much work bearing down on me that I get stressed and just walk away from it,” Sandberg said. “It somehow feels safer avoiding doing work than actually starting it.”
Arribas, a three-sport athlete, also finds himself overwhelmed. “Practice can take two-and-a-half hours a day, and by the time I get home, I just don’t want to work. It frustrates me, but I still do it.”
Kuhl has worked with students for over 20 years and has developed strategies and tools to curb procrastination.
“Everything I do goes in a paper calendar. If I need to remind myself to do something, I’m going to jot it down and then I will know I need to do it,” Kuhl said. “If I lost my favorite calendar, I would be lost.”
Scholars have found that physically writing down dates and appointments improves recall, and putting things down on paper can make larger tasks seem more manageable.
“Once a student identifies a difficult week with many assignments, then they can begin to make decisions about how to use free time in and away from school to complete it,” Kuhl said. “Knowing what’s coming informs decision-making in creating a plan.”
Kuhl also says she hopes students recognize the faculty resources they have at school. If a student has two or more major assignments on a given day, they may have a conversation with their teachers about getting an extension. Counselors are also here to help students with navigating stress.
“They recognize the frustrations that come along with procrastination, whether with the system or workload,” Kuhl said. “Counselors can provide a space to vent and articulate their struggles, which can be super helpful.”
Sandberg is optimistic about improving his learning skills.
“In a perfect world, I would be able to finish all my assignments ahead of time, and then have the free time for my other activities. I am not quite there yet, but I work towards it every day.”
