As the semester hits its halfway point, students across the Upper School are juggling a growing list of assignments, tests, and extracurricular commitments. The sudden shift from the slow, early weeks to full-on academic chaos feels familiar, but it does not make it any easier for everyone. Students are trying to stay organized while still prioritizing their sleep and mental wellbeing. Senior Lilah Jacome commented, “The middle of the semester brings on a lot of academic stress which is hard to manage alongside personal and outside of school activities.”
A common theme at this point in the semester is time management. Some students rely on planners or digital calendars, while others break work into daily checklists to keep things from piling up. Even so, the workload can feel nonstop, especially in classes where major projects start to overlap. Senior Riya Mani explained , “I think blocking out my time in my notes app is really helpful. It helps me set mini-deadlines for myself, so I don’t spend too much time on one thing.”
The pressure is especially felt by the senior class. On top of regular schoolwork, they are managing college applications, supplements, interviews, and looming deadlines that approach more quickly than they expect .
Recognizing how overwhelming this season can be, the College Counseling team launched the “College Application Lounge” this fall. The space was designed as a calm, dedicated area for seniors to work on their applications without distractions. The four counselors rotate shifts to answer questions, check essays, and help students stay on track. Seniors say the lounge has been a useful space where they can focus, finish a supplement, and feel less alone in the college admissions process. The Parents’ Association donated stress balls, fidget spinners, candy, and other small motivators to the lounge. Even with the stress, PDS students are finding ways to push through. Some rely on their friends to keep them grounded and others carve out small pockets of downtime to unwind. Mid-semester isn’t easy, but for now, everyone is trying to stay focused and make it through the busiest weeks of the year.
