Success is not only influenced by one’s work habits and efforts, but by everyday life choices.
Junior Abagail Mirakaj, a student at the school, is a prime example of a balanced student through her schoolwork, athletics, and socialization with others around her.
“I’d say it’s pretty challenging trying to have a life and keeping up with school,” junior Abigail Mirakaj said. “It’s very important to know when to say no to specific things and to know your priorities. Having a personal life is key though because it can allow less stress, allowing better focus on school. I just think if you don’t have a life, you are nobody.”
Being a student while balancing a life is something many students struggle with and end up either neglecting one or the other. But balancing both, like Mirakaj does, allows herself to work the best she can and avoid losing motivation and burnout. Through creating checklists and trying to predict how long a specific assignment will take, she can go off a schedule. She faces her own challenges with going to two different high schools, as well as playing tennis. She seems to be going down the right path.
Being focused on school like Abi is allows her breaks to be more enjoyable, leading to her being able to grow mentally and academically.
“I know Abi takes her schoolwork seriously and tries to be the best she can while balancing that she is still present with our friends and tries to be available for plans made,” junior Brent Griffith said. “I think that is how all students should be and is a great role model.”
Making plans and meeting up to them is essential to pursuing personal and academic goals for yourself, leading towards an enjoyable life overall. For one to grow, experiences outside of school are needed to be made, allowing not only new skills but a healthy mindset, which is something Abagail tries to do with her friend group consisting of seven of her peers. Not only does Mirakaj try to fit her friends into her schedule, but she is also often the one creating plans and trying to work around problems with others or herself, which include her semi-strict parents.
“Abagail might be one of the smartest and most hardworking girls I know,” junior Etana Medrekhea said. “She can be tough on herself, but I think it gets the work done. I’ve seen her posts on social media, and she still has an amazing joyful life outside of school, which is something many students struggle with.”
Having a successful life doesn’t mean sacrificing who you are for accomplishments, but how to achieve them with joy and meaning.
