Good afternoon, headmistress, teachers and fellow students. I’m Chris Wong, the Scout leader. I have heard that many junior form students find it difficult to strike a balance between activities and their studies. Many of you feel anxious that you will perform badly in both areas. So today, as a student who has just gone through your stage and as a Scout leader, who enjoys activities, I’m here to share with you some personal tips on how to do well in both aspects.
But before giving you the tips, let me first tell you the importance of studying and joining extracurricular activities. Education extends beyond classes, books and homework. Learning occurs as you interact with your friends during recesses, at the playground when you enjoy your favourite activity. Participating in extracurricular activities is a great way to develop teamwork, leadership, communication and time management skills. Therefore, a good balance between studying and extracurricular activities can help you develop into a well-rounded successful student. However, balancing between the two is often challenging for students. Most of us choose to focus more on one aspect while neglecting the other. The bias causes poor performance in one area but can lead to stress from and anxiety about both areas.
The first tip I’d like to give you is that you should choose wisely which extracurricular activity you should join. You should consider the cost and the time required to attend the activity. Choose one that can fit in your schedule properly. Make your choice wisely among those you are truly interested in and those that will help you on your way to success. It is best not to join more than two to three activities and focus on them. More focused contribution may help you obtain a leadership position, and you can gain the chance to lead a group, which is an invaluable experience to you.
The second secret of success is keeping a timetable. Plan what to do and when it has to be accomplished. When organizing your work, be sure to take into account your class time and leave plenty of time for studying before scheduling your extracurricular activities. Don’t forget to set aside time for relaxation to avoid being overwhelmed and burned out. Making a timetable doesn’t mean you just draw it out but fail to stick to and follow it closely. Avoid procrastination as it leads to building up of backlogs which can lead to stress and anxiety.
Having a good balance between studying and activities will benefit you a lot. Today the tips that I share with you are from my own experience. I would most glad if my advice could offer you help. But I’m sure that many of you could come up with even better methods to take care of your studies and activities well. Please share your tips with your schoolmates. Let’s join hands together to make our school life fruitful and enjoyable. We make great strides together to go the extra mile.