Every day when students get home, they have to think about how to spend their time. Will they sit down and watch a show? Immediately start on homework? Everyone needs time to recharge, (We’re not machines.), but how do students balance that need with school requirements? Ricordia staff members interviewed three Merion freshmen, Audrey, Lyla, and Libby  for insight into their after-school routines.

Do you have a stable daily routine? 

Audrey: Yes, I would say I do. 

Lyla: No. Basically, I try to have a routine, and it doesn’t work.

Libby: Yeah, it’s pretty consistent usually. I get home, nap, eat, and save the rest of my time for homework. 

What is the first thing you do when you get home from school? 

Audrey Dougherty : I take off my shoes and I go lounge around in my bed.

Lyla Otis: Eat. I take the bus home sometimes because of field hockey so sometimes I get home at six.

Libby Baldini: The very first thing I do is literally just flop into my bed.

On a scale of 1-10 what is your daily stress level? Is it school induced? 

Audrey: I’d say maybe a 4 daily. It is school work, nothing else.

Lyla: My stress level is a 5 because some of it is school, but most of it is that I want to do extra school work to help me succeed, but I can’t.

Libby: Like a nine! It’s not necessarily school induced, it’s a mix of everything. Everything comes together and creates stress. I’m also a very anxious person in general, so it might just be me.

Is keeping with schoolwork as a freshman difficult?

Audrey: Yeah I would say it’s different, it’s an adjustment.

Lyla: No, though I do feel like that if you’re out or have to leave early for a sport it can be difficult but if you email your teachers and stay on top of it you can definitely keep up.

Libby: It depends on the subject, in general keeping up with it isn’t difficult, it’s the projects.

As the newest members of the Merion community, freshmen must hold their balance on what can sometimes seem like a tightrope. By planning your schedule, knowing when to recharge, and harnessing academic strengths, students can achieve better balance and maybe even have more time and energy for assignments and other commitments.