These days are busy times in a teenager’s life. Dealing with school grades, after school jobs, extracurricular activities, a social life and sports teams is hectic.

This is exactly what I am dealing with now and I am trying to figure out a management plan to find the best way to prioritize my busy schedule. Commitments are hard, and too many can build up to stress.

If you can relate to having the least bit of stress, keep reading.

First off in your management plan you need to prioritize what commitments are most important to you. Your job might be most important to you, but the pledge to make good grades is my number one. List all of the activities you are involved in, and rank them from the most significant to the least. Choose activities that are most valuable to you and your success, and manageable with your busy schedule.

Second, on a pocket calendar you can have with you at all times, write in the activities and times they are scheduled for the next month. Get into the habit of always filling it in when a new activity is scheduled. Make sure you leave time for any unexpected happenings or anything to go not as planned, as that happens quite often. Maybe setting a certain amount of time for one activity can help you also. For example, 30 minutes of studying each night and 30 minutes for exercise after that. The prioritizing comes when debating which should be done and the length given to each.

Finally there's the follow-through. Follow your schedule and stay committed. If something goes not as planned, make a note of it.

As we get older we become busier and this planning goes unnoticed, we keep it in our minds, but I’m asking you to write all of this down. I guarantee there will be a pay-off in the end. You will relieve some stress and feel more organized, leaving it easier to stick to your commitments.