Balancing academics, work, and personal life is a challenge for many students. While managing schoolwork alongside a job can be stressful, some students have found ways to stay organized, motivated and successful.
Senior Reign Ladrillono works at Silverado Escondido Memory Care Community while maintaining good grades. He relies on organization and focus during the school day to manage his responsibilities. Ladrillono uses folders to keep his assignments organized and brings his laptop to work so he can stay productive during slower moments. Ladrillono,12, said what helps him to have a balanced life is getting work done at school as much as you can.One advice he would give students that want to work and have good grades is “Don’t get overwhelmed or forget your school responsibilities and If allowed, you can do homework during slow times at your job.”Reign L,12,said.
“I try to get as much work done at school as possible so I’m not overwhelmed later,” Ladrillono said.
Ladrillono has been working at the retirement home since February and says the job fits his personality because it allows him to work independently and multitask. He also participates in ROTC, which he has been involved in since freshman year, and credits the program with helping him develop time management and leadership skills.
“Staying organized and communicating with teachers really helps when things get busy,” Ladrillono said.
Senior Guadalupe Nieto Mosso works at Taco Bell and says having a clear routine helps her balance school and work. She focuses on completing schoolwork during the day before heading to her shift in the afternoon and finishing assignments at night if needed.Mosso acknowledges that working comes with challenges, including long hours and less free time, but believes staying committed to school is important.
“Keeping myself on track with a clear agenda helps me not lose focus on my grades. You have to be ready to sacrifice some free time to stay on track,” Mosso said.
Former student Antonio Santillan, now a freshman at San Marcos University, shared that learning time management in high school helps prepare students for the future. Santillan balances college classes with work by planning his week ahead and using a planner and phone calendar. Santillan emphasized the importance of being realistic about work hours and making school a priority.
“Writing everything down helps me stay organized so nothing sneaks up on me. School should come first, and communication makes balancing everything easier,” Santillan said.
According to the University of Washington, students who work more than 20 hours per week often experience a decline in academic performance, while those who work fewer hours can develop stronger time management skills. Despite the challenges, students say learning to balance responsibilities prepares them for life beyond high school.
By staying organized, planning ahead, and asking for help when needed, these students are finding ways to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
