Dear Simone Says,

I am a ninth grader, and I’m dealing with a very stressful issue right now. I have so much school work, and I’m falling behind every time I catch up. It’s like 10 new assignments pop up out of nowhere. An ideal outcome to this situation would be to just plan to finish work on time. Do you recommend anything that would help me stay on track?

Dear Stressed Freshie,

Feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork, especially in ninth grade is completely normal, even though it feels awful at the moment. When assignments keep piling up, the biggest problem usually isn’t effort–it’s organization. Instead of trying to “catch up on everything,” focus on making a simple, realistic plan that will keep you from falling behind in the first place. 

Write down all your assignments, then prioritize what’s due first and what’s worth the most points. Break big tasks into smaller steps so they don’t feel impossible, and set specific times to work. Short, focused blocks are better than long, exhausting ones. It also really helps to communicate with your teachers if you’re falling behind; most would rather help you make a plan than see you struggle silently. 

Staying on track isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being consistent and giving yourself grace while you figure out what works for you.

Best,

Simone Says