Balance academics and extra-curricular activities

Kenya: First term is a drama and sports term in the school calendar. The drama festival and interschool sports mean that some students will miss class to rehearse and even travel to compete.

But does this mean that you lock up your books until the competitions are over? Extra-curricular activities offer you opportunities that could be useful when you get into the real world. Not everything you know is taught in the classroom.

Your academic work is still important. The fact that you are in drama or any other club does not mean that you abandon homework, tests, examinations, assignments, and presentations. At the end of the day, you are better off as an all-rounded student. Extra-curricular activities offer you a chance to develop leadership, communication and time management skills.

Thirty years from now, you may be a PhD holder but what answer will you give if someone asks you what else you did apart from studying? Conversely, if you focus so much on your talent, you may be asked what you did beyond the co-curricular activity. If you are one of those students who love both academics and extra-curricular activities, you may be wondering how to balance the two. Here is how:

Acknowledge that academics require a different level of commitment from extra-curricular activities. "Extra" means additional and the best you can do is to include them in your schedule, keeping in mind that academics come first.

Schedule all your activities so that none interferes with the other. Your extra-curricular activities should not hamper your regular academic activities.

If you are unable to multi-task, then give priority to your academics and concentrate on your talent during the school holidays. You can also only multi-task if you are a quick learner.

Can you shift gears quickly and move on from that wonderful drama rehearsal to your academic work? If you answer this question, you will know how to handle the situation.

It may be a cliché, but 'work smarter, not harder' is the way to go. Ensure your books are organised so that you can easily access anything you need for your studies. Do not waste valuable minutes of study time trying to locate your study materials.

Never put all your eggs in one basket. Most successful people took their classes seriously and still found time to participate in other activities. Nameless, the musician, is an architect by profession.

Learn to say 'no'. You don't have to join your friends for a movie if you have not completed your homework. Ensure that you do not join all clubs; pick one or two.