The Student News Site of Lake Central High School

Lake Central News

The Student News Site of Lake Central High School

Lake Central News

The Student News Site of Lake Central High School

Lake Central News

Strain on the student

Erica+Keleman+%2812%29+takes+notes+at+school.+She+tried+to+finish+as+much+of+her+homework+as+possible+during+school+so+she+would+not+have+to+do+it+after+babysitting.
Erica Keleman (12) takes notes at school. She tried to finish as much of her homework as possible during school so she would not have to do it after babysitting.

Most students experience stress from work, school and extracurricular activities, and Erica Keleman (12) is no stranger to that stress. She balances school with babysitting and many other activities.

“After school I typically babysit for a family in my neighborhood. It’s usually right after school. I pick them up from the bus at about 2:45 [p.m.] until anywhere from 6 to 7 [p.m.]. I also give piano lessons and I do a little bit of tutoring here and there. I’m also involved with music stuff at church and a lot of church activities. By the time I get home, I’m super tired, and then I have to worry about my homework on top of everything else that I’ve done that day,” Keleman said.

Earlier this school year, Keleman was babysitting until late in the evening and was too tired to do her homework when she got home, so she decided to wake up at 4:00 a.m. the next morning to do it. Her performance at school was affected the next day.

“You start to yawn, you remember how early you woke up and then you’re extra tired because you think about it. You do all your work before school, and the last thing you want to do is go to school and do more work,” Keleman said.

In order to manage her time and stay organized, Keleman writes test dates and due dates for projects in her agenda well in advance so she can prioritize her assignments. She also rewards herself to keep her stress levels in check.
“I love to go to Dunkin Donuts between 3 and 6 [p.m.] to get a 99-cent iced coffee, and that’s always a little bit rewarding. Otherwise, making sure that I don’t spend all my time on homework and schoolwork [is important. I] just make sure that I do make time to do stuff with my friends and go out and have a good time,” Keleman said.

Erica Keleman (12) takes notes at school. She tried to finish as much of her homework as possible during school so she would not have to do it after babysitting.
Erica Keleman (12) takes notes at school. She tried to finish as much of her homework as possible during school so she would not have to do it after babysitting.
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