As the second semester at Bridgewater-Raritan High School is in full swing, students are taking a moment to reflect on their school year so far.

From the tedious work that comes with taking rigorous courses to the pressures of balancing extracurriculars, students are facing a plethora of challenges. But how are students managing their stress, and what strategies can they use to stay on top of their extensive workloads? 

Reflecting on the past semester, students, particularly freshmen, have acknowledged the challenges they have faced from their demanding coursework and extracurricular activities. The transition from middle school into this first half of high school has tested freshmen’s ability to stay organized and manage their stress. 

Some students reported that certain classes have become more demanding, while others are feeling more comfortable knowing that they have settled into the school year. 

Freshman Arshiya Aggarwal shared her insights on how her school year is going so far.

“My school year has been both challenging and rewarding. The course rigor has pushed me to manage my time effectively. While balancing extracurricular activities has been stressful at times, it has also helped me develop strong organizational skills and maintain focus,” she said. 

Despite these challenges, students are still finding effective ways to cope with their stress. Some look towards sports, socializing with friends and hobbies, while others take a more pragmatic approach—prioritizing time management and self-care. 

“To manage stress, I break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps and focus on one thing at a time. I also find time for activities like doing art or spending time with friends to clear my mind and stay grounded,” Aggarwal further explained. 

Using creative outlets such as journaling, drawing and music helps many students relax and alleviate stress in a meaningful way. Disconnecting from screens is also a helpful way to manage stress, as it gives students a break from their constant flow of notifications. 

Additionally, physical activities, such as going for a run or exercising at a gym, are excellent techniques to release tension and boost focus while providing a fun and energizing break from daily routines. 

With many students having essays, tests and projects piling up, efficient study habits are crucial for time management and absorption of material. Some students rely on traditional study methods such as taking handwritten notes and making flashcards, while others prefer taking notes digitally and using applications such as Quizlet, Notion and Goodnotes to review material. 

Freshman Dhruv Rakhade reflected on study strategies he has found effective. 

“I find using spaced repetition an effective method for studying. It involves reviewing information at intervals to improve your retention. The flash card software I use to do this is called Anki, and I use it for tasks that require significant memorization,” he said. 

Forming study groups can also help enhance a student’s understanding of material by allowing them to explain and clarify concepts to one another. Furthermore, organizational tools such as planners and to-do lists are essential for keeping track of assignments and deadlines, ensuring that students can stay on top of their workloads without feeling overwhelmed. 

In addition, balancing study time with personal time is crucial to many students. Time management techniques such as the Pomodoro method—studying in focused, 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between—can help students improve retention of material and prevent burnouts from extended periods of work. 

As students continue navigating the challenges of the second semester, balancing academics, personal time and mental health with one another remains essential. With beneficial stress-management techniques and study strategies, students at Bridgewater-Raritan High School are working towards the end of the year, staying focused and striving for future success.