Lessons from a chaotic life

A teenager's life is pure chaos. Running here, going there, doing homework; the day takes on a hectic quality. The more involved a person is in school, extracurricular activities, church, friends and family, the crazier their life becomes.

Many nights I only see my home and family while passing through on the way to bed. Spending time relaxing is just a dream now. Fast food has become a way of surviving the occasional hunger pangs and doing my homework at lunchtime is becoming an increasing occurrence; it's the only way to keep my life together.

Spending time with my family is becoming a rarity and at night, while the rest of the world is sleeping tight, develops into a time to catch up on a few hours of homework that has already been put off too many days.

The days off school that I used to enjoy as a time to sleep late, spend time with my family and leisurely read books just for fun is now spent on extracurricular activities and late nights out with friends. My family has already begun to complain about not seeing me enough -- and this is only my sophomore year in high school. The time I do spend at home is usually in front of my computer or reading endless chapters in textbooks.

This insane lifestyle does not seem so crazy anymore because it has become the norm for me. I stick with it because of the advantage it could bring in the future. The grades, extracurricular activities and other factors all equal one thing: scholarships. This dream of college and the life afterward keeps me going day after day. Working toward my goals keeps me in focus with the world around me and forces me to work hard and achieve much.

Although my goals are important to me, I am gradually learning to slow down and enjoy my family, friends and the experiences of high school. "This is one of the greatest times of my life," I am constantly being told, and I want to appreciate this stage in my life, free of the headaches of life that I know are coming. Balancing tasks around me is becoming increasingly difficult, but I know I can do it. If I work hard and put forth all I have, then all I could ever want out of life will be mine.

Chelsea Morton is a student at Jackson high school.