In my final year of high school, I’ve noticed a pattern. Everyone is overwhelmed. The workload is intense, and it feels like you have to be everywhere, doing everything. But I’ve realized that if you sit down, map out exactly what needs to be done, and find pockets of time, it’s not as bad as it seems.

For example, I used to spend my drive to cricket listening to music. Now, I use that time to explain physics or chemistry concepts to my dad. In math class, if the teacher is covering something I already understand, instead of zoning out, I’ll go through biology notes. This is because I know that’s where I need extra work.

This doesn’t mean I don’t rest. But I’ve come to see that rest and not working are two different things. Scrolling through Instagram or binge-watching random YouTube videos isn’t rest—it’s just filling time. Real rest is letting your mind reset, whether that’s through meditation, sports, or simply sitting in silence.

I know I’m young, and I have a lot to learn, university will probably be a whole new level, but I think many of us struggle with time management because we approach it the wrong way. The feeling of being overwhelmed is real, but breaking things down and making small adjustments can make a big difference.

How do you manage your time? I’d love to hear different perspectives!