Life Between Classes

By Martha Blythe

Family responsibilities, health, celebrations, homework, stress, jobs and social pressure, are just some of the aspects of students lives that exist beyond the classroom. For the duration of their academic careers, activities occurring in class provide purpose but do not define any student’s life. From the moment students wake up until they finally close their eyes to sleep at night, students face days filled with studies, obstacles and successes.

On school days, some students rise as late as possible and run out the door with barely enough time to have brushed their teeth. Others wake early to help care for siblings, spend time grooming, study, practice music, train for a sport, or do chores.

The way students commute to school can be as varied as their morning routines.  School bus, public transportation, getting a drive, walking, biking, boarding, blading, and driving their own vehicle are just some of the ways students get to school. By the time a group of peers reach their desks to begin their official academic day the lives of students have been as varied and unique as any fingerprint.

After school routines for students are as diverse as the mornings. Activities range from predictable team and club meetings, gaming and social networking, part-time jobs and co-op placements, babysitting to the less-obvious participation in organizations working toward the greater good. Eco-friendly initiatives and charitable efforts, Amnesty international, M.A.D.D., Key Club, cultural groups are among them. Some student entrepreneurial groups create and operate small businesses. Yearbook and Newspaper, and now even eNewsletters are traditional student-lead projects which benefit the entire school community. Of course, there are still decorating committees and gardening clubs to beautify our schools, but today’s students’ interests and skills are so vast that every student is able to find a way to become involved and make new friends.

Although each student is unique as are the lives they lead, students also have much in common. Listening to music, relaxing with friends and playing games and sports are just some of the ways teens cope with the pressures of their day to day life. Teens can also seek out groups where it is the common interest above all that is the focus, like gaming groups, charitable groups, and outdoor enthusiasts. Introverts may want to find a club where they may not be asked to speak out so much but can still fully participate, such, as a photography club. No matter which club or group students join, balancing academic work, social and family commitments with stress-reducing extracurricular activities enhances students’ life.