The challenging balance between school and social life

Studies+have+shown+higher+levels+of+happiness+when+one+is+around+family+and+friends.+However%2C+many+students+struggle+to+seek+time+to+allocate+for+social+life+when+they+are+constantly+entrenched+in+school+work.+

Shruti Patel

Studies have shown higher levels of happiness when one is around family and friends. However, many student’s struggle to seek time to allocate for social life when they are constantly entrenched in school work.

The crowded, encased environment of a football game, to the social interaction between you and your friends at lunch, are a couple of situations in high school that people find to be some of their favorite moments of the school days. But then there are the kids who decide to skip out on social interactions and choose for their life to revolve around getting straight A’s. Getting good grades is important but should achieving perfect grades never leave leeway for school events? I believe it does not. I think that high school is such a major part of your life, and it’s a time you should have new experiences. 

I believe that it is important to interact with others and not just restrict yourself to school work. Though getting good grades can give you many opportunities in the future, the present is just as important, and you should be able to have fun, and enjoy the “now.” You don’t want to have regrets in the future wishing you had enjoyed your time of being in high school, and have done more events that lead to fun memories. 

Social Interactions can lead to you being happier and more positive. The New York Times stated that “dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.” It may not always be easy to put yourself out there and get closer to people around you, but taking that risk can be worth it. A lot of times just a few good friends that you can rely on can make a major difference in your experience with school. 

Going to events like dances, football games, and fundraisers can help you make more memories. These are some events that you can only truly experience while in high school. Doing these you are making more memories, and doing more things to enhance your high school experience. 

We are pushed to get good grades every day and are given loads of work to help obtain these grades. Most of this causes large amounts of stress. In a study made by NYU, they stated that “there is growing awareness (that) many subgroups of youth experience high levels of chronic stress, to the extent it impedes their abilities to succeed academically, compromises their mental health functioning, and fosters risk behavior.” But hanging out with friends and going out and interacting with people can get your mind off of things, and give yourself a “brain break.” High school doesn’t have to be so restricted, and it’s ok to give yourself time to have fun. 

Just pushing yourself to try new things, and letting yourself have fun is just so important. You shouldn’t completely let your grades go down and belittle the importance of achieving high averages, but giving yourself a break can be very beneficial. So go to that football game, or pep rally, or those over events and just have fun and make memories.