Imagine a high school schedule that starts before sunrise and stretches late into the night, filled with back-to-back activities, practices, and meetings. In today’s highly competitive academic environment, students are often encouraged to excel not only academically but also in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. From sports teams, volunteer work, and clubs, the drive to create a standout resume for college applications has led many students to pack their schedules.
However, National Honors Society President Annie Mara ‘25 explains that she is driven by “being able to be with my community and make those connections.”
While being involved in all these activities offers valuable skills and experiences, they also come at a cost. Balancing multiple extracurriculars can lead to increased stress burnout and anxiety, ultimately affecting students’s mental health.
As the pressure to do it all continues to grow, it’s important to examine how overloading on activities can impact high school students’ well-being.
A new study from the University of Georgia says, too many enrichment activities can result in an “overscheduled” student, and that can have adverse effects—namely heightened stress and anxiety— particularly at the high school level.
When students stretch themselves too thin, they may find it difficult to concentrate in class or have the energy for assignments. Grades can slip, leading to even more stress creating a vicious cycle of pressure and exhaustion.
Students may also struggle to maintain relationships with family and friends. Many feel like they miss social events because they are too busy or tired to attend. Trying to do it all they risk losing time for the things that bring them joy and connection.
Mrs. Haines, a Campus Ministry and Catholic Faith teacher at Cathedral, reminds students that even when they’re balancing it all, “Learning is a process. Even if it feels hard in the beginning, it’s a process, and there are plenty of resources on campus that will help you.”
Finding a healthy balance between academics, extracurriculars, and personal life is key to maintaining a healthy mindset. Involved in several honor societies, volunteer group SPRITES, CCHS Cheer, and president of Legal Minds Club, Chloe Totry ‘26 explains how she maintains her busy lifestyle: “I try to stay as organized as possible by writing a plan for my day in the mornings, to make sure I don’t forget about any of my commitments.” When it comes to making time for friends and family she says “My family and friends are my number one priority so I try my best to build my schedule around dedicated time to them.”
If you are a student struggling with the impact of excessive extracurriculars, remember that true success isn’t measured by a packed schedule, but a sense of fulfillment and balance that allows students to enjoy their high school experience without sacrificing their mental health.
