YOUTHINK.CA
SPRING 2020 > YOUTHINK PS
13
W
e've heard it all before: Today's youth
face greater competition and higher
expectations than any other generation
when applying for colleges and careers.
Having good grades is no longer enough — we
are told that we must be well-rounded, dynamic
and unique. While it's exciting to challenge the
boundaries of our potential as individuals, it can
be scary, stressful and just generally difficult to
navigate the many pressures — from parents,
from school and from ourselves. How can we keep
stress levels to a minimum? How should we go
about finding the much-needed balance in our
lives to avoid the dreaded burnout?
Youthink PS offers these five tips to help you
stay centred and manage your time and commit
-
ments successfully:
Spend time doing things you can't
include on your resumé
This one seems a little counterintuitive, but it's
among the most important. Take time to eat
healthy meals. Be a dependable friend. Get a
good night's sleep. Exercise! These little things
aren't great resumé-builders, but making time
for them can put you into a better headspace to
achieve greatness in the things you can put on
your resumé.
Get out there — meaningfully
There are so many different ways to get involved,
and so many different leadership skills you can
acquire from your involvement. Be creative. What
types of things are you passionate about? Chances
are that if you join an activity or initiative you
don't truly enjoy, you won't excel. Be purposeful.
Reflect
Take the time to check in with yourself regular-
ly; integrate self-reflection into your routines.
Know what grounds you
When stress hits, it's helpful to identify healthy
outlets for relief. It's good to have at least a couple
of things to turn to. Whether it's going for a run,
playing guitar, writing or drawing, be sure to know
what and who you can turn to when you're feeling
overwhelmed.
Set goals, stay organized and track
your progress
Setting measureable goals can help you reach
your potential. Making lists and consciously
recording progress is helpful in meeting mile-
stones and charting progress. It's important to
remember that personal growth is a journey
and not just a destination. Find a process that
resonates with you, track your progress and
celebrate your accomplishments.
•
Avoid BURNOUT!
5 TIPS for managing your time and commitments
Photo
by
jeshoots.com
on
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BY ALIYA DOSSA