By Ayla ’29
The first word you will hear at Harvard-Westlake is balance. But how do you balance hard classes and a new social environment? There are three main strategies Harvard-Westlake students new and old have all used to manage their time.
Time management
Managing time at Harvard-Westlake is difficult for students new and old. Both new 7th graders and 9th graders get the chance to learn about how to manage time in KITS class and Advisory. The first step in time management is using a planner or digital calendar to track assignments, tests, and extracurriculars. Breaking large tasks into smaller steps and setting realistic daily goals will make students feel less overwhelmed. The new block schedule allows for plenty of free time for students to do homework (prioritizing schoolwork during blocks is highly recommended by teachers and students). The school-wide lunch block is an hour and fifteen minutes; each additional block that students have free is 55 minutes. One of the most important ways to spend your time is meeting with your teachers if you have free time during lunch or blocks to understand topics or discuss content you missed.
Don’t overburden yourself
A common misconception with Harvard-Westlake students is that they are constantly overwhelmed with stress, and the majority of students surprisingly are not. This is because they know what their limits are, doing the best they can while also not overexerting themselves. Focus on prioritizing what’s important to you, which could be friends, sports, extracurriculars or a combination of all. Academics don’t have to be your main focus, and it’s important that incoming students understand that grades shouldn’t be a main priority. For me, I love playing video games, watching Netflix shows and YouTube. I try to always watch at least one YouTube video/episode or 10 minutes of video games each day so I don’t feel overwhelmed with stress and I have time to just sit down and relax. Find the things that help you unwind!
Use the resources available
It’s no surprise that a school like Harvard-Westlake has tons of resources for students. One of the most popular places at Harvard-Westlake is the Learning Center. The Learning Center is one of the best places to do homework or talk to friends, but if you want to study in a quiet space, the quiet study space is perfect. There are so many hangout spots around the school that nowhere ever feels crowded, you could go to the field, the library, the wolverden, the commons or in classrooms. As far as mental health goes, the school offers countless spaces to talk like support groups, club, counselors, deans and dedicated mental health and wellness areas. The makerspace is also such a fun place to hang out with friends and occasionally they have bedazzling stations. Teachers often post their schedules helping students stay on top of work and prepare for tests.
