As a High School student, I know how critical time management is, and how important it is for high schoolers to develop this skill to succeed academically, socially, and personally. However, it is a skill that many students find themselves struggling with. With the numerous assignments, extracurricular activities, and social events, it can be challenging to juggle everything and stay on top of things. In this Wellness Corner article, we will explore some tips for high schoolers who are struggling with time management.

1. Create a schedule: Creating a schedule is a crucial step in managing your time effectively. It will help you identify your priorities and plan your day accordingly. Start by making a list of all your tasks and deadlines, including homework assignments, projects, and exams. Once you have your list, create a schedule that allows you to complete these tasks on time while still leaving room for social activities and downtime.
2. Prioritize your tasks: When creating your schedule, it’s essential to prioritize your tasks. Start with the most critical tasks and work your way down the list. Prioritizing your tasks will help you focus on the things that matter most and avoid getting bogged down by less important activities.
3. Set achievable goals: Setting achievable goals is essential to time management. Break your tasks down into smaller, more manageable goals. This will help you stay motivated and focused while giving you a sense of accomplishment as you complete each goal.
4. Avoid multitasking: Many students believe that multitasking is an effective way to manage their time. However, research (and frankly, my personal experiences) has shown that multitasking can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress. Instead, focus on one task at a time, and give it your full attention until it’s complete.
5. Eliminate distractions: Distractions can be a significant hindrance to time management. Identify your distractions and find ways to eliminate them. For example, if social media is a distraction, consider turning your notifications off or keeping your phone away from you to reduce the urge of picking it up. This can be hard, since we all have friends to text and news to read, but it is essential to complete your work efficiently. Think of it like this: if you complete your work without being distracted, you have so much more time to do other non-schoolwork-related things.
6. Take breaks: Taking breaks is essential to maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout. Schedule regular breaks throughout your day, and use this time to recharge your batteries. Whether it’s going for a walk, doing some exercise, or listening to music, find an activity that helps you relax and recharge.

In conclusion, time management is a critical skill that we as high schoolers must develop to succeed. By creating a schedule, prioritizing tasks, setting achievable goals, avoiding multitasking, eliminating distractions, and taking breaks, we can manage our time effectively and accomplish our goals. Remember, time management is not about working harder; it’s about working smarter.

The Stanford marshmallow test was a famous psychological experiment designed to study delayed gratification, led by Walter Mischel. The experiment aimed to examine the relationship between self-control and later outcomes such as academic success and life satisfaction. In the test, a child is presented with a marshmallow and given a choice to eat it immediately or wait for a short period of time to receive a second marshmallow as a reward. The findings were very interesting: those who waited for a second marshmallow later grew up to have better grades— and eventually better lifestyles, jobs, and even relationships, as adults. The findings of the marshmallow experiment led many to conclude that willpower and self-control are major determinants of a person’s success in life. So, which camp would you fall into?  Would you practice delayed gratification and wait for that second marshmallow?  While it may be tempting to procrastinate by spending a lot of time on social media instead of pursuing more productive activities, try to remember that willpower and self-control may make all the difference in life.

High school can be a busy and overwhelming time for students, with multiple classes, extracurricular activities, and social events to juggle. Without good organizational skills, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and fall behind. That’s why developing good organizational is crucial for high school students, and here are some reasons why:

1. Stay on top of assignments: With multiple classes and assignments, it’s easy to forget about deadlines and due dates. Being organized can help you keep track of all your assignments and avoid missing deadlines.
2. Prioritize tasks: Good organizational skills can help you prioritize tasks and focus on what’s important. By understanding which assignments or activities are most important, you can manage your time more effectively and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
3. Reduce stress: When you’re organized, you’re less likely to feel stressed and overwhelmed. You’ll have a clear idea of what you need to do and when, which can help you feel in control and less anxious.
4. Improve time management: Being organized can help you manage your time more effectively. You’ll be able to schedule your tasks and allocate your time more efficiently, which can help you achieve more in less time.
5. Develop good habits: Good organizational skills are an essential life skill that can help you succeed not just in high school but also in college and beyond. By developing good organizational habits now, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the future.
6. Improve academic performance: Being organized can help you improve your academic performance. By staying on top of assignments and prioritizing tasks, you’ll be able to focus on your studies and achieve better grades.

There are many ways to improve your organizational skills as a high school student. Here are some tips:

1. Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
2. Break down larger assignments into smaller tasks to make them more manageable.
3. Keep your study space clean and organized to reduce distractions.
4. Develop a routine for studying and stick to it.
5. Avoid procrastination by starting assignments as soon as they’re assigned.
6. Keep your phone or other distractions away from you when you are working.
7. Get rid of clutter in your physical and digital spaces to reduce stress and improve focus.

In conclusion, proper organization is a vital skill for high school students, and it’s important to develop good habits early on. By staying organized, you’ll be able to manage your time more effectively, reduce stress, and improve your academic performance. With a little effort and dedication, you can develop the organizational skills you need to 20succeed in high school and beyond. Always remember though, success in high school is not just about getting good grades but also about developing skills, building relationships, and growing as a person. By following these tips, you can succeed in high school and set yourself up for a bright future.

As a high school student, I know how easy it is to get overwhelmed by the many responsibilities and pressures that come with everyday life. Between studying for exams, participating in extracurricular activities, maintaining a social life, and planning for the future, it’s no wonder that so many high school students experience stress and anxiety. However, there are several things that students can do to reduce stress and achieve success in high school. I recently found out that one way to achieve this is through mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the act of being present at the moment and fully engaged in the task at hand, without judgment or distraction. It involves paying attention to one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, and learning to observe them without reacting or getting swept up in them. By practicing mindfulness, you can improve your focus, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase your overall well-being.

Here are some ways that high school students can use mindfulness to achieve success:

1. Manage stress: High school can be a stressful time, with deadlines, exams, and social pressures. Mindfulness can help us manage our stress by providing a sense of calm and helping us stay present in the moment. By focusing on our breathing and physical sensations, we can slow down our racing thoughts and find a sense of inner peace.
2. Improvements in focus: Mindfulness can help us improve our focus and concentration, which can lead to better academic performance. By training our minds to stay present and focused on the task at hand, we can avoid distractions and stay engaged in our studies.
3. Boost creativity: Mindfulness can also help students tap into their creativity and imagination. By quieting our minds and letting go of self-judgment, we can explore new ideas and perspectives, which can lead to breakthroughs in our academic and personal pursuits.
4. Improve relationships: Mindfulness can also improve students’ relationships with others. By learning to be present and attentive to our own thoughts and emotions, we can become more empathetic and understanding of others. This can lead to stronger relationships with family, friends, and teachers.
5. Increase overall well-being: Finally, mindfulness can help us increase our overall well-being. By reducing stress, improving focus, and boosting creativity, we can experience greater happiness and fulfillment in all areas of our lives.

There are many ways that we can practice mindfulness. Some popular techniques include meditation, deep breathing, and body scans. We can also practice mindfulness during everyday activities, such as eating, walking, and studying. By incorporating mindfulness into our daily routines, we can achieve greater success and happiness in all areas of our lives during and outside of high school.

As a Manhasset student, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to balance coursework, extracurricular activities, and a social life while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, it’s crucial to prioritize your health and wellness, as it can impact your academic performance, mental health, and overall quality of life. Here are five tips and strategies for how students can maintain a healthy lifestyle based on my personal experience:

1. Get Enough Sleep Each Night

Getting enough sleep is essential for academic performance, mental well-being, and physical health. Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and try to establish a regular sleep schedule to ensure you get quality sleep. No one wants to feel like a zombie when there are in the middle of class, so maintaining a good sleep schedule is vital for being successful.

2. Eat a Balanced and Nutritious Diet

Eating a healthy diet can help you feel energized, focused, and physically well. Make sure to incorporate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your meals. Avoid excessive amounts of processed and sugary foods, as they can negatively impact your health.

3. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but it can also boost your mental health, reduce stress levels, and improve sleep. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Find activities that you enjoy, such as sports, swimming, or yoga.

4. Stay Hydrated by Drinking Plenty of Water

Drinking enough water is crucial for overall health and well-being. Make sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day, and carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day.

5. Practice Stress Management Techniques

Stress is a common experience for students, but it’s essential to manage it effectively to avoid negative impacts on mental and physical health. Practice stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling.

Previously, I mentioned that philosophy can be utilized to obtain a deeper understanding of why various societies in East Asia are the way they are. I mentioned four particular philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Yin-Yang philosophy. Today, we will be taking an in-depth look at what Confucianism is and its great effects on East Asian Societies.

As stated previously, Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system that originated in ancient China and has had a profound influence on Chinese and other East Asian culture, society, and politics. It is named after Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who lived during the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE) and whose teachings were later compiled in a book known as the Analects. However, in order to truly understand Confucianism, we must look at its beliefs and practices.

Here are some of the key practices and traits of Confucianism:

1. Emphasis on education and self-cultivation:

Confucianism places a strong emphasis on education and self-cultivation as a means of achieving personal and social harmony. Confucius believed that we could achieve moral excellence and wisdom through the pursuit of knowledge and the cultivation of virtues such as filial piety, loyalty, and respect for elders.

2. Respect for hierarchy and social roles:

Confucianism places a great emphasis on social harmony and stability, and it promotes a hierarchical view of society in which individuals have specific roles and responsibilities based on their position in society. Confucianism stresses the importance of respecting authority, fulfilling one’s obligations, and maintaining social order.

3. Ancestor worship:

Confucianism emphasizes the importance of honoring one’s ancestors and maintaining a connection with the past. Confucian rituals often involve offering sacrifices to ancestors and seeking their guidance and blessings.

4. Virtue ethics:

Confucianism is based on a system of ethics that emphasizes the cultivation of virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, and propriety. Confucian ethics promote the idea that individuals should strive to cultivate these virtues in order to achieve personal and social harmony.

5. Rituals and ceremonies:

Confucianism places a great emphasis on rituals and ceremonies as a means of expressing respect, gratitude, and social harmony. Confucian rituals often involve bowing, offering sacrifices, and performing other symbolic acts.

6. Humanistic outlook:

Confucianism places a strong emphasis on the value of human life and the importance of human relationships. Confucian thinkers believed that human beings could achieve moral excellence and wisdom through the cultivation of virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, and propriety.

Ultimately, Confucianism has been a major force in shaping East Asia for over two thousand years, and its traits and practices can be utilized to ascertain a deeper understanding of East Asian society and culture.

In my last blog post, I went over what exactly is Zen Buddhism, as I felt that it was a necessary bit of information to properly understand before I dive into its effects of East Asian society today and throughout history. Zen Buddhism is most commonly practiced in East Asia, particularly in Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam.

Here is how Zen Buddhism has impacted these East Asian Societies:

Japan is often considered the center of Zen Buddhism, where it is known as “Zen” or “Zazen” in Japanese. Zen Buddhism has had a profound influence on Japanese culture, including art, literature, and traditional practices such as tea ceremony and flower arranging.

In China, Zen Buddhism is known as “Chan” and is one of the most important schools of Mahayana Buddhism. Chan Buddhism was first introduced to China in the 6th century by the Indian monk Bodhidharma, and it has had a significant impact on Chinese culture and philosophy. Its emphasis on meditation, simplicity, and spontaneousness led to its rapid rise in popularity during the Tang dynasty and its continued influence today. Furthermore, Zen Buddhism replaced Confucianism during a time of war and chaos, leading many Chinese inhabitants felt that Confucianism had failed them and China. As a result, Zen Buddhism ascended to the dominant philosophy in Chinese society, and much of its impacts are left in Chinese philosophy, politics, and infrastructure today.

In Korea, Zen Buddhism is known as “Seon” and is an important part of Korean culture and spirituality. Zen meditation has been practiced in Korea since the 7th century, and it has had a profound impact on Korean art, literature, and traditional practices such as martial arts.

In Vietnam, Zen Buddhism is known as “Thien” and has been practiced since the 6th century. Zen Buddhism played an important role in the development of Vietnamese culture and spirituality, and it has influenced many aspects of Vietnamese life, including literature, art, and traditional medicine.

Overall, Zen Buddhism has had profound impacts in many East Asian Societies throughout history and even today; ultimately, understanding Zen Buddhism and its practices is essential to understanding the nuances and development of East Asian society.

Previously, I mentioned that philosophy can be utilized to obtain a deeper understanding of why various societies in East Asia are the way they are. I mentioned four particular philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Yin-Yang philosophy. Today, we will be taking an in-depth look at what Zen Buddhism is and its great effects on East Asian Societies.

As stated previously, Zen Buddhism is a branch of Buddhism that has had a significant impact on East Asian culture, particularly in Japan. It emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, meditation, and living in the present moment. While Zen Buddhism shares many similarities with other forms of Buddhism, it also has some distinct differences.

Here are some ways that Zen Buddhism differs from regular Buddhism:

1. Emphasis on meditation:

Zen Buddhism places a strong emphasis on meditation as a means of achieving enlightenment. Zen practitioners engage in seated meditation (zazen) and other forms of meditation to cultivate mindfulness, awareness, and insight into the true nature of reality.

2. Direct transmission of teachings:

Zen Buddhism places a greater emphasis on direct transmission of teachings from teacher to student than other forms of Buddhism. Zen teachers use a variety of techniques, such as koans (puzzles or paradoxical statements) and non-verbal communication, to convey their teachings to their students.

3. Simplicity and spontaneity:

Zen Buddhism emphasizes simplicity and spontaneity in all aspects of life, including art, poetry, and daily activities. Zen practitioners seek to cultivate a childlike, spontaneous approach to life that is free from conceptual thinking and preconceptions.

4. Emphasis on non-dualism:

Zen Buddhism emphasizes non-dualism, which means seeing reality as a single, unified whole rather than a collection of separate objects. Zen practitioners seek to transcend the dualistic thinking that divides the world into categories such as good and bad, self and other, or subject and object

Hopefully, this post clearly outlines what Zen Buddhism is in relation to other sects of Buddhism. In my next post, I will focus on its effects on East Asian Societies, but I felt that it was necessary to focus further on the unique traits of Zen Buddhism.

Philosophy can be a useful tool for analyzing East Asian culture by providing a framework for understanding the values and beliefs that underpin cultural practices and social norms. Many East Asian cultures and religions have a philosophical code or influence in its societies, and by dissecting these philosophies, we can obtain a greater understanding of the cultures and customs practiced in these unique societies.

Here are some philosophies that can be used to obtain a deeper understanding of East Asian culture:

Confucianism:

Confucianism is a major philosophical and ethical system that has had a profound influence on East Asian culture. It emphasizes the importance of social harmony, respect for authority, and filial piety. By studying Confucianism, one can gain insight into the values and norms that shape East Asian society.

Taoism:

Taoism is another important philosophical tradition in East Asia that emphasizes the concept of the Tao, or the “Way.” It teaches the importance of living in harmony with nature, cultivating inner peace, and practicing humility. By studying Taoism, one can gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of East Asian culture.

Zen Buddhism:

Buddhism has been a topic of frequent discussion on this blog page, and this post is no different. However, we will be taking a closer look at a specific sect of buddhism, called Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is a branch of Buddhism that has had a significant impact on East Asian culture, particularly in Japan. It emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, meditation, and living in the present moment. Meditation is such an important practice of many East Asian societies, and has personally shaped the life I have today. By studying Zen Buddhism, we can understand the practices of many East Asian Societies.

Yin-Yang philosophy:

Yin-Yang philosophy is a concept from ancient Chinese philosophy that represents the duality and interdependence of all things in the universe. It emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony in all aspects of life. By studying Yin-Yang philosophy, one can gain insight into the importance of balance and harmony in East Asian culture.

Philosophy can be used to analyze East Asian culture by providing a framework for understanding the values, beliefs, and practices that shape the region. By studying the philosophical traditions that have had a significant impact on East Asian culture, one can gain deeper insights into the cultural norms and social practices of the region.

I will be diving deeper into how each of these four philosophies impacted various East Asian Societies in more blog posts in the coming weeks.

Philosophy can provide a framework and tools for coping with stressful situations by offering different perspectives, guiding principles, and practices. In previous posts, I have gone over how Buddhism, Stoicism, and the concept of Eudaimonia can help with stress. However, philosophy in general can be applied to stressful situations, and it is up to you, reader, to decide which philosophy you will adhere to make it through these times of stress.

Here are some ways that philosophy can help:

1. Perspective:

Philosophy can offer different perspectives on stressful situations, helping individuals to see things in a new light and find meaning in difficult experiences. For example, Stoicism teaches that adversity can be an opportunity for growth and that we should focus on what is within our control.

2. Principles:

Philosophy can offer guiding principles for living a good life, which can help individuals to prioritize their values and make decisions that align with their goals. For example, Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, which can help individuals to find meaning and purpose.

3. Practices:

Philosophy can offer practical techniques for coping with stress, such as mindfulness meditation or cognitive-behavioral therapy. For example, Buddhist mindfulness and Transcendental meditation, derived from the Vedic religions, can help us to cultivate greater awareness and acceptance of their thoughts and emotions, which can reduce stress and anxiety.

4. Community:

Philosophy can offer one a sense of community and connection with others who share similar values and beliefs. Engaging in philosophical discussions or joining a philosophy group can provide a supportive environment for exploring difficult questions and finding meaning in challenging situations.

Philosophy can provide a variety of tools and resources for coping with stressful situations, including different perspectives, guiding principles, practical techniques, and community support. By incorporating these resources into their daily lives, we can develop greater resilience and well-being in the face of stress.