Fall 2014 > youthink PS > 11
youthink.ca
W
e've heard it all before: Today's youth face
greater competition and higher expecta-
tions than ever before when applying for
colleges and careers. Having good grades
is no longer enough – we are told that we have to
be well-rounded, dynamic and unique. While it's
exciting to challenge the boundaries of our poten-
tial as individuals, it can be scary, stressful and just
generally diffi cult to navigate the many channels
of pressure, from parents, from school and from
ourselves. How can we keep stress levels to a mini-
mum? How should we go about fi nding the much-
needed balance in our lives to avoid the dreaded
burnout?
Youthink PS offers these fi ve tips to help you
effectively avoid burnout and manage your time
and commitments successfully:
Spend time doing things you can't
include on your resumé
This one seems a little counterintuitive, but
it's one of the most important things of all.
Take time to eat healthy meals. Be a depend-
able friend. Get a good night's sleep. Exercise!
They aren't great resumé builders, but making
time for these things can bring you into a better
headspace to achieve greatness in the things you
can put on your resumé.
Get involved – meaningfully
There are so many different ways to get involved,
and so many different leadership skills you can ac-
quire from your involvement. Get 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.
Refl ect
Check in with yourself regularly and inte-
grate 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 cou-
ple 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 your 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 By Aliya Dossa
