It’s October and the first day of school is already a distant memory. Late nights and sleeping in are nothing but figments of the past. Making impressions, earning good grades, and other teen pressures have invaded students’ minds. As the new school year progresses, here are some helpful tips to remember for surviving school stress.

It is vital to find a balance between extracurricular activities and school work to maintain throughout the school year. Adopting a routine is a good way to keep priorities straight, as well as to provide organization for minimizing stress.

As intense assignments pile up, with constant deadlines to meet and projects to finish, pressure from school takes a toll on students’ lives. But, the ability to deal with that stress effectively, while maintaining a positive attitude, can make an enormous difference.

“This year, I am trying to find a way to balance all the aspects of my life,” junior Jessica Knox said. “I have school to think about, but I am also juggling school and club soccer, along with other clubs, and a social life. It is important for me to develop a routine that enables me to balance everything. Once I find a system that works, I will stick to it so I can be much more successful and stress free than in the past.”

Activities such as exercise, involvement in teams or clubs, taking naps, listening to music, or just talking with friends can relieve stress and keep students sane throughout the school year.

“When I go out on the lacrosse field after a long day of stressful school work, I can channel my stress onto the field to make my play better. And, after I play, my stress is released,” junior Erin Houston said.

For the vast majority of students, participating in sports or clubs is an ideal way to have fun while simultaneously relieving stress. Involvement in extracurricular activities provides time for students to get fit, relax, and meet new friends. It takes real dedication, perseverance, and balance to be an active member in school clubs and extracurricular activities while maintaining a positive outlook and manage the overwhelming pressure to do well in and out of school. However, this combination often takes a huge toll on students.

According to a survey taken by the American Psychological Association, over 50 percent of all Americans teens report being stressed or ‘very’ stressed. Furthermore, Yale Stress Center reports a decrease in health and overall wellbeing, along with a drop in effectiveness and productivity when a teen experiences stress.

“Everyone has a different technique to handle stress. But, personally, I go out to the soccer field and play with my teammates. They are an amazing group and it takes my mind off of what I was stressing about,” Knox said.

Creating a personalized method of keeping one’s priorities straight and maintaining the drive to succeed in academic, social, and athletic commitments are challenges most students will encounter. However, learning to master those objectives, while also having fun, will be beneficial in the long run.

“When I’m balancing my time between school and sports, I keep in mind that both are important, but I make sure to build time into my schedule for things I like, such as going to the beach or hanging out with friends. It’s all about finding a good balance,” Houston said.