Allen Vasilyev, Period 2, 11/8/22

Atomic Habits & Growth

I’ve always had difficulty with time management, and I have set specific standards like

completing as much work as early as possible to battle it. Over the past three years, my

personal commute to Staten Island Tech has sucked up 60-90 minutes of the day in each

direction. I am one of the many students that spend hours on the transit, yet expected to juggle

AP classes, extracurricular activities, college applications, and make free time for hobbies and

relaxation, all in a 24-hour day. It seemed impossible, but there were certain adjustments I

made in routine and character to organize the way I do things.

Deadlines were never really a problem for me, and I would go to incredible sleep-

depriving lengths to submit my assignments punctually. However, these long nights of various

projects and homework drastically affected my mental health and well-being. I felt lethargic

throughout school and came home to more and more hours of work piled up. This painful cycle

went on for months, and at a certain point, I was utterly burned out. This was when I realized I

had to assess what was going on and how I could improve the way I managed my time.

I determined that the issue was rooted in my general perspective on work: I always left it

for the last day and treated it in a negative manner. Since then, I’ve understood that the faster

and earlier I finish my tasks, the more time I can allot toward personal interests and activities.

Whenever I see an assignment due in the future that I could complete now, I jump right on it

instead of leaving it for a later date. When Sunday evening comes along, I plan my weekly

duties and allocate specific times of the day to certain assignments, helping with tidiness and

efficiency. Whenever I feel overloaded, I take a step back, breathe, and readjust instead of

pushing to a lower point. Above all, I now appreciate my work and take pride in the daily efforts

required, which has aided me in managing my time the most.