Lainie Ferree is a dedicated, hardworking student, and much like her peers, Lainie is living a very balanced life. Ferree, a straight-A sophomore at Waltham High School, takes part in many after school sports and clubs. She is on the cross country team, the dance team, and the spring track team. In addition to this, she is in science club and journalism club. Ferree also makes time to work at the Waltham Public Library. While constantly busy, and following her passions, Ferree still maintains excellent grades and gets all of her school work done. She feels “stretched thin,” and she “doesn’t know what else to do.” She has dedicated so much time to everything she does that she has started to burnout and lose her interest in these activities.
Ferree speaks on the impact of the new high school saying that she is “excited for the new school because of the change in environment.” Ferree hopes that this change in scenery will increase morale in the school, and high schoolers suffering from burnout can find their way back to their senses, and remember why they love the things that they once loved. She thinks this will “restore motivation” in herself and in her peers.
Ferree says she is losing her love for her many extracurriculars because “it’s hard to feel passionate about something when you are trying to do everything.” This is not just an experience of one high school student. Many people throughout Waltham High School are overworking themselves, and trying to take on too many things at once. It tends to become more about building a resume and getting things done, causing people to lose their passion and love for the things they do. Most high schoolers in this position get everything done, although “not enthusiastically, more just for the grade.” High schoolers are losing the point of extracurriculars, only feeling the need to get to the next level, and eventually into whatever path they want to pursue after high school.
Trying to live their lives for the best resume, many students are then unable to leave any extra time to take a break, or see their friends and family. Having a social life is very important to decrease any developing burnout, and it is important to leave space and time in your life for the ability to have human interaction and not always just have your nose in your books. Ferree says that she is “able to spend time with her friends, but will be forced to procrastinate [her] work if [she] spent too much time with them.”
It is crucial that high school students are able to do everything they love, and actually enjoy their lives while maintaining grades, and maintaining a social life. Many high schoolers struggle with this, feeling like they need to get it all done to prepare themselves, and set up their lives. Our school and student body needs to see that not burning out in high school should be more normalized, and student mental health should be prioritized.