By Nkem Ebhaleme
When people hear “ASU Prep Digital,” they probably picture me glued to a laptop 24/7. And to be fair, I spend a lot of time on school, but honestly, that’s just the first half of my day. For me, life outside of class is just as important as what happens inside the virtual classroom. My life is about balancing the focus needed for my assignments with making sure I get to express my creative side and stay connected to the people around me.
Once I wrap up my classes for the day, I actually make it a habit to skim my notes and do a few quick quizzes or some of the assignments given to me right away. That way, I make sure the material really sticks. After that focus break, I always make myself stand up, walk around a bit, and stretch my legs, as it’s so easy to forget to move when you’re doing digital school. Then I can finally go out and do something fun, whether it’s running errands or catching up with a friend.
I have a few main things I juggle outside of school that really add meaning and joy to my life. First up is graphic design. I spend time doing it about three or four times a week, and it’s my absolute favorite creative hobby. Design is where I can take an idea floating in my head and actually make it look really cool. It’s a way to quiet my mind and focus on something beautiful, and that expression is extremely important to who I am. Another big passion of mine is travel. I truly believe there’s so much to learn just by getting out of your regular environment. It doesn’t always have to be a big deal, either. Sometimes it’s a quick road trip in-state to explore a new city, or a walk in a different mountain. Other times, I’m lucky enough to plan something bigger, whether it’s flying out of state to visit family or experiencing a completely different culture outside of the country. No matter the distance, exploring new places always helps me recharge and gain a fresh perspective on life.
Another thing that’s really important to me is volunteering in my neighborhood. I don’t have a set schedule, and I just jump in whenever people need me. It could be helping an elderly neighbor with yard work or doing a favor for a busy family. I really value building connections around me, and seeing the joy on someone’s face because they know they have someone they can count on is such a great feeling. It’s a way to stay motivated and feel like I’m making a positive difference where I live.
And finally, I try to work out regularly. I used to be super lazy about exercise, but I realized it’s not just about physical health; it’s also about my mental health and well-being. Getting active clears my mind, helps me think better, and just makes me feel good all around. It’s a safe and reliable way to keep my whole body healthy.
With so many things going on, I definitely have to be organized. I keep track of everything using a combination of tools. I use the Notes app built into my phone to jot down reminders, and I also have a whiteboard in my room where I write down the bigger to-do list items.
The biggest thing I’ve learned about time management is this: don’t push something off until tomorrow if you can do it today. Tomorrow always has its own surprises, and you might find your time taken up by something more urgent, leaving you stressed about the thing you should have finished yesterday. My personal rule for setting priorities is to get things done quickly. If I get an assignment, I try to complete it and submit it within two or three days. It might not work for everyone, but for me, getting things off my plate early keeps me ahead. The fact that I’m an ASU Prep Digital student makes all of this possible. The flexible schedule is a huge benefit. I get to choose when I do my assignments and how long I need to study for specific things.
To anyone feeling overwhelmed by school, I want to say that you shouldn’t forget that your life outside of class matters too. It’s easy to get lost in the big to-do list, but your hobbies, your responsibilities, and the ways you help your community are all part of building an awesome life for yourself. I really encourage everyone to explore their interests, set their own boundaries, and build a schedule that works just for them. Finding that balance makes school better and life a lot more fun.
-Nkem Ebhaleme
