Finding Balance: A Real Talk for High Schoolers Chasing Big Dreams
Let’s be real: high school can feel like a never-ending checklist. GPA? Nailed it. Club president? Working on it. Sports? Better join at least one. Volunteer work, internships, SATs, social life, sleep (if you’re lucky)... It’s a lot.
I used to think that getting into a great college meant being a machine. I had color-coded planners, all-nighters fueled by coffee, and a schedule so packed that “downtime” became a myth. On paper, I looked “perfect.” But inside? I felt like I was chasing something I didn’t fully understand and my drive was beginning to dwindle.
And then something shifted.
Success Is More Than a Transcript
One day, after missing a close friend’s birthday because I had back-to-back club meetings and had to study for a calculus test, I realized I was burning out. I wasn’t enjoying anything - not even the activities I had chosen myself. That’s when a mentor told me something that changed everything:
Success isn’t just about grades. It’s about growth. It’s about friendships. It’s about knowing who you are becoming—not just what you’re achieving.
Yes, strong academics matter. But what truly builds a compelling college profile and a fulfilling life is balance.
Balance Builds Your Best Self
Think about the people you admire. Chances are, they’re not just “smart” - they’re engaged. They lead clubs, but also go to football games. They ace science fairs, but still find time to jam with their band or volunteer at the shelter.
When you balance academics with extracurriculars, sports, and social time, you’re not just multitasking - you’re showing colleges (and yourself) that you are:
Disciplined, but not rigid
Curious, beyond the classroom
Resilient, because you juggle and adapt
Human, which is the most underrated asset in any application
Balance doesn’t dilute your profile - it strengthens it.
After I realised the importance of balance, everything changed. I was more excited to go about my day and impassioned in life. My overwhelm had vanished and my anxiety became manageable.
Your Journey is Allowed to Change
Here’s a truth not enough people say out loud: It’s okay to change paths and it’s okay to do different things. I started high school wanting to be a computer science engineer, then switched to psychology, and then I applied to liberal arts programs. Every shift came with doubts - but also with clarity.
Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re learning.
Colleges don’t expect you to be perfect. They expect you to be real - to explore, reflect, and grow. When I opened up in my essays about times I felt overwhelmed or lost, it didn’t weaken my story it deepened it. When I shared stories of my balanced life - a victory in a horse riding competition or a life changing surfing expedition to Bali with my friends - it enhanced my profile, painted a more vivid picture of my persona, giving the college admissions officers a better insight into me.
Some Tips That Helped Me Stay Sane (and Succeed)
Time-block honestly. Don’t just pencil in study hours—add downtime, exercise, and friend catchups. Treat them as non-negotiable.
Do fewer things, better. You don’t need ten clubs. Choose what excites you and fully commit.
Check in with yourself. Once a week, ask: “Am I doing this because I love it - or just because it’ll ‘look good’?” Doing things just for how good it looks on paper is very demotivating and honestly, a waste of your time.
Talk to people. Mentors, friends, family, counselors - don’t isolate. Sometimes a 10-minute chat can re-center your whole week.
Celebrate small wins. Got through a tough week? Honor that. Rest is not a reward - it’s a requirement.
Go Out. Everyone needs the occasional escape to stay on track. Whether it’s to the park for a refreshing walk, or to a restaurant with a friend or to the football field for a friendly match - go out and give yourself a break from studies.
Final Thought: You’re Doing Better Than You Think
If no one’s told you this lately: You are allowed to be a work in progress. You’re allowed to have days when nothing feels “balanced.” That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you alive.
College admissions isn’t a sprint. It’s a part of your story 0 not the whole thing. So breathe. Show up. Stay curious. And remember that real success isn’t just about where you get in - it’s about who you become along the way.
