Now that the new school year is in full swing, many students may be experiencing high amounts of stress, low amounts of sleep, and doubts as to how they will make it out alive. As members of a high school that strives to educate the WHOLE person, Mercy girls are not only challenged academically, but to also be involved in extracurriculars both in and out of the Mercy community. With a plate as full as a Mercy girl’s, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed and a lack of motivation. No matter how hard we all try, roadblocks of discouragement are a part of the human experience and simply unavoidable. However, many Mercy girls have found ways to conquer the inevitable and stay motivated.
Sophomore Sophie Harvat explained that she combats stress by making her responsibilities fun and exciting. She tries to avoid slacking off by staying busy yet organized. She keeps an optimistic attitude by making the best out of whatever life throws at her and lives by the rule that “If you work hard, it will pay off.”
Junior Kate Tietjen shares that her motivation comes from knowing 
that by being involved, she has to power to make a positive impact at Mercy. While she is constantly faced with stressful situations, she looks at each of them as a way to serve Mercy and her Mercy sisters. With the support of friends and her own self determination, Kate is able to keep her head up when under pressure. While she seems to be constantly on the move in her pursuit for greatness, she points out that in the midst of it all, it’s important to take breaks and take some time to focus on yourself. She serves as an example to not fear or draw back from tough situations but to wholeheartedly purse them and that through hard work, “you will pave a way for a bright future.”
Junior Emma Weis keeps from feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork by staying organized and disciplined. She’s realized that the most effective way to do this is to take breaks between subjects to stay on task. She also finds it extremely motivational to establish a type of reward system such as having a piece of candy after accomplishing a certain task.
Senior Abi Jones finds that prioritizing keeps her going in the hustle 
and bustle of her hectic schedule. She finds that taking time to relax, listen to music, or spend time with family or friends allows her to be more responsible in accomplishing her tasks. When feeling
overwhelmed, she reminds herself that “if you can dream up a goal, you can achieve it.” She’s able to look past the matter at hand and look towards the future. She knows that despite how grim the situation may seem, as long as she keeps dreaming, she will move forward and reach her goal. Her strength and determination comes from knowing that God has a plan for her and that each and every trial has a purpose in shaping her future. By approaching the chaos in life this way, Abi Jones reminds us to keep our heads high and think of what great wonders lie ahead of us.
Senior Cece Coniglio stays motivated by participating in sports. She
understands that in order to perform on the field or court, she needs to perform her best in school. Also, by being a part of a team, she has found a support system that understands what she is going through and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She advises that having some kind of support system, (whether it be teammates, family, or friends) can provide the motivation that you need to get through tough times. She has also found that taking time to relax has helped her regulate her stress. She’s come to realize that avoiding relaxation only causes less motivation and more stress.
Unfortunately, feeling stressed and unmotivated is just the way of life for a high schooler. This does not, however, give stress the power to defeat us. We must remind ourselves that we are surrounded by others who are climbing the same mountains as we are. So next time you’re struggling to find the strength to overcome, look around, and remember that every one has to power to stay motivated.
