Many students who attend the high school participate in afterschool activities, whether it’s playing sports, participating in band or orchestra, or going to different clubs. 

Some students struggle to maintain the motivation to perform well in school and in their activities without maxing out in life. 

Among this group of students is Macie Metcalf, 10 Metcalf is an honor roll student, enrolled in honors classes, as well as a highly competitive volleyball player who dedicates majority of their days to training after school. 

Metcalf is successful at balancing aspects of their life; however, they find it hard to dedicate a lot of energy into school work…

sometimes

“I feel like I am not checked in while doing work… Sometimes it [after school activities] make me not want to do my school work. It makes me feel lazy sometimes,” Metcalf said. 

Even while struggling to put effort into work, Metcalf finds a healthy balance between academics and extracurriculars, but sometimes it can become stressful.

“Depending on if my teachers hate me or not that week, or how much work they give us, I’m either overwhelmed or I’m fine. Sometimes, if I get five assignments that are all due on Monday and I have a two day tournament or a busy weekend, then I find myself getting stressed out,” Metcalf said. 

Pushing through stress allows Metcalf to continue balancing their rigorous schedule in and outside of school, but it makes it hard for them to find time to do the things they love. 

“When I get home I do my school [work] right away, if I do go home that day. If I do that, I have about an hour to do anything I want before practice,” Metcalf said. 

Completing a balancing act, like Metcalf, is not easy and comes with challenges, but overall, Metcalf is not maxed out yet. They are still able to maintain grades, play the sport that they love, and maintain healthy friendships, which are some of the things that matter most in their life.