By: Bella De La Cruz
September 24, 2026
Have you ever felt the urge to yell or burst at someone from being overwhelmed/overstimulated?
If this is you, you’re not alone! Everyone feels this, even the people we mistake for being perfect at everything. I’ve met someone who balanced everything SO well; I was insanely jealous and envious. How do they do that? The answer is patience and time management. If you want to learn the best ways to separate your time for school and time for yourself, keep reading!
Most estimate the time they have for themselves and school, which causes less sleep and more stress. Sometimes I even do that, and that’s okay! But have you wondered if there was a better way you can manage these two? One way is going straight into homework when you get home. I know you all want to go on your phone and play video games, but think about it. Would you rather have to do it later or get it over with? Getting sucked into social media is easy. A way you can get into “work-mode” is by getting comfy! Change out of your school clothes, set up your materials, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb”, and maybe even get a little snack and some music. I LOVE getting comfy and cozy at my desk when I get home; I feel so aesthetic!
Okay, going on to actual time management. Usually, most people do their work all in one sitting, which is an option! But your brain needs breaks for it to focus and work academically. Breaks can be short, and some can be long, but which is better? Studies show 5-10 minute breaks give the brain time to improve its concentration level and boost test performance compared to long, uninterrupted study time. Shorter breaks also help with memory consolidation, stopping the brain from being overwhelmed with the amount of information being taken in. On the other side of the argument, some studies say longer breaks are better because they prevent high stress and strain in the brain. A 30-60 minute break gives time to fully recover and gives your body time to relax.
Yes, I know you can scrape by with bits and pieces of time for school, work, family, and self-care. But personally, I would prefer it if I had scheduled times so I know what to do instinctively after a while of the routine. Time management is important so you can be okay mentally and academically. School can easily be stressful, but managing things and doing small portions at a time also supports you. Don’t forget, you’re doing great!
See you next time, pandas!