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How to balance extra-curricular activities and academics?

Balance extra-curricular activities and academics

Being a student is a handful of work. There are homeworks, tests, examinations, assignments, projects, presentations and lot more to be taken care of, all at once.

An average of 8-9 hours is spent at school or a college by a student. Maintaining a good score and finishing up all the tasks assigned may leave a student with hardly enough time to think of any new activity to be considered at all.

Education and gaining knowledge has become more of a competition rather than enjoying the process of learning. To support this issue, there exists a pressure from the teachers, parents and peers. One would not think much about the talents they possess, instead the person would be on the academic race.

This causes imbalance. There has to be a life beyond academics! What would your answer be after 30 years of age, if someone asks you, "What have you done apart from studying?", "What do you know apart from the lessons?", "What did you learn beyond the curriculum that still lasts as an additional knowledge in you even after years?". The response would be blank in most cases.

The other set of students are those who are extensively involved in extra-curriculum, that they fail to realise the importance of academics.

You have to strike a balance between academics and extra-curricular activities. Here is how to do it:

* Differentiate:
Know that academics require a different level of commitment from your side and extra-curricular activities require your interests. You know the term "extra" means additional. Include such activities in your schedule, but know that they are to be considered after academics. Because academic success will last you a life time.

* Prioritise:
You need to set priority. If you think you will make a better painter or a dancer than an engineer or an architect, then decide for yourself which needs to be prioritised. But never neglect the academics. Have the basic knowledge that one needs to survive even if they don't end up being what they wanted to. Discuss your priority with your parents. Analyse things.

* Schedule:
Go for that guitar class or the painting class that you wish to. But make sure it does not hamper the regular academic deeds that you have to accomplish. Create a time table. Follow it up and things will fall into place.

* Question things:
Ask yourself if you can multi-task. Can you shift thoughts quickly? Can you move on from that wonderful basketball game that you just played and begin your academic work or do you end up pondering on the past events. Are you a quick learner? Is it better to take the extra-curricular classes during the holidays? Or can you manage attending them and finishing up all the school or college related things as well? When you begin to answer them you will know how to go about it and how to manage them.

We must make the best use of time. Hence, set priorities, schedule, think of workable plan, be realistic and then you will be able to manage the academic life as well as something that you love to do otherwise as well.

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