Tips to aid students

Regarding Hannah Pelkie’s letter (“Sick students stressed out,” May 4): School is a difficult world to navigate. Teachers and parents are preparing you for real life, and teaching independence. I agree, you can’t study constantly. You must have breaks. However, you have to make study time count. Believe it or not, you are in one of the easiest times of your life. Know that life will only get wonderfully more complicated, stressful and beautiful from here.

But you have to get ready for it. Being successful and healthy in school is really quite simple: Get plenty of sleep, choose to be around good people, and, you guessed it, study, without your phone beside you. Get away from distractions (Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, texting). Put the phone away, not forever, but definitely during study time. I promise you won’t miss anything. You will have more non-stressful down time if you do this.

Most good parents and teachers aren’t pushing you hard to be mean and to make you sick. They are desperately trying to prepare you for the future, which, frankly, many students show signs of not taking seriously. Remember, ultimately, you are in control of your health and success.

Are you up to the challenge? You can do this!

Lynn Chapman

Spokane