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W
e've heard it all before: Today's youth face
greater competition and higher expecta-
tions than any other generation 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 bound
-
aries of our potential as individuals, it can be scary,
stressful and just generally difcult 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 nding the
much-needed balance in our lives to avoid the
dreaded burnout?
Youthink PS offers these 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 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 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.
Reflect
Check in with yourself regularly and inte-
grate self-re¨ection 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
