Ask Alee

Q: I’m really overwhelmed with all the school stress plus I have to deal with more chores at home. How can I deal with it?

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all this pressure. You’re definitely not alone and here are a few ways to manage your school and household responsibilities this:

You can try talking to your parents about the stress you’re going through and asking them to remove a bit of the chores you have to deal with. I know it can be hard to do that because you may be worried they’ll shut you down but you need to stand your ground and tell them exactly how you feel. Communication is key and if you want something to change, you need to speak up.

You can also make a schedule. It doesn’t have to be too strict to the point where you have no free time whatsoever, but it should still help you keep your grades up and do the majority of the chores you need to do. Your schedule should include like the tasks you need to make sure you do, and breaks between them for rest. You need to take breaks. While it is good to have a routine and be disciplined, sometimes we need to rest to actually excel in the tasks we have set. So don’t forget to make time for yourself to actually have fun and relax.

Prioritizing your time will also allow you to do the pressing tasks as soon as you get them and remove the later stress that would come if you procrastinate.

Try and make the most of your breaks. When you have free time you can make sure to use it in a productive way that you still find fun. For example, you can read a new book series you’re interested in or build your knowledge on a topic you’re interested in. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Make time for activities that help you relax and relieve your stress. That could be exercising, spending time with family or friends, reading, etc. To achieve the best results in all you do, you need to take care of yourself physically and mentally.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you feel overwhelmed and having trouble dealing with your stress, try talking to a friend, counselor, or family member about what you’re going through. Talking about your feelings can help you feel relieved and make you feel less alone.

I hope this helps and everything gets better!