In her thoughtful and relatable article, high school senior Laylen Hines offers a personal look into the often-overlooked mental health struggles faced by high-achieving students. As a 12th grader balancing academics, extracurriculars, and work, Laylen shares how she once found herself overwhelmed and burnt out, until a simple piece of advice from her mother changed everything.
Through her experience with using a planner, Laylen not only found a way to organize her life but also discovered a powerful tool for supporting her mental well-being. Her story is a reminder that small changes in our daily habits can have a big impact.
Author: Laylen Hines
Grade: 12th
As a high-achieving student, I constantly find my plate overflowing with responsibilities. Before I learned how to schedule my months out in advance, I also repeatedly faced breakdowns and burnout. I would get so exhausted from trying to keep up with school, extracurriculars, and work that I would forget to take a moment to take care of my mental health. One day, I randomly decided to finally listen to the advice my mom had given me about getting a planner, and that’s when my entire mindset changed.
After purchasing my first planner, I was a little lost on how to plan “correctly”. It wasn’t until I actually stuck with jotting down my activities that I realized there was no correct way to use a planner. I was free to format and design my planner however I wished, and honestly, it became comforting. The more I wrote things down ahead of time, the better I could actually prepare for them. I found myself more organized and less stressed than before. I had fewer breakdowns about school and significantly fewer feelings of burnout.
I feel that many students overlook the idea of taking care of their own mental health. I often see my peers trying to overload their schedules with extracurriculars and activities that will impress colleges in hopes that they’ll stand out. However, I never see them take a moment for themselves to gather their thoughts and relax, and as small as this task may seem, it has such a huge impact on how we deal with stress.
For me, that small task was planning ahead. For others, it could be journaling, meditation, or even taking wellness walks. Whatever it may be, I encourage students to find the thing that really calms their minds.
Laylen’s article serves as an important reminder that mental health should never be pushed aside in the pursuit of success. Her honest reflection encourages students to pause, prioritize themselves, and find strategies that help them cope with stress in healthy ways. Whether it’s planning ahead, journaling, or simply taking time to rest, her message is clear: your peace of mind matters.
