The Reel Deal: Balancing School and Work
by Lindsey Lucas
I started to feel the fish bite, the tell-tale “thump” at the end of the line that anglers live for. I went to set the hook only to realize, embarrassingly, the “thump” I felt was my teacher tapping on my shoulder to wake up and pay attention in class.
Well, school is back in session which means not as much time to fish, as usual, not to mention colder weather is setting in. Luckily for crappie, you can fish for them year-round, just when you don’t have any homework of course.
While I do enjoy fishing when school is not in session, I also enjoy fishing when it is in session. Fishing and being outdoors is a good way for you to “escape reality” and get in touch with this big, beautiful, peaceful world. Whether you are fishing with a friend or by yourself, being outdoors is a good way to relieve stress and anxiety. If you’re in school now, or can harken back to those days, you know that is a huge thing kids experience during school.
As a sophomore in high school, trying to juggle my writing, schoolwork, fishing, hunting, and traveling gets tough at times. That’s when I must take a step back and realize there are ways to clear my mind. Being outdoors, whether it’s hunting, fishing, camping or just sitting outside, is what I have learned helps me the most.
Although being able to travel to hunt and fish, then write about it as a job, may seem fun, it can be a lot at times, especially being only 15 years old and in school.
Everything in life has its ups and downs, it’s just a part of life. Being an author takes a lot of responsibility and time management, you must be able to get your schoolwork done on time as well as meet the due date for your stories.
Traveling for this can be tough as well. Some may think, “well you get to be out of school to do what you love, how can that be hard?”
Yes, it’s nice to get a break from going to school, but that doesn’t mean a break from doing the schoolwork. I’m lucky enough that my teachers and school staff are so supportive of my journey that they help me find ways to keep up with my schoolwork while being gone.
I’m glad I have such amazing people that I write for and such a kind and understanding editor that is easy to work with. Having support and communicating with people is a huge part of time management.
I love what I do but there are things people don’t normally see, such as what this article talked about. It’s okay to feel this way but you must remember there are people who support you, will understand how you feel, and that there are ways to clear your mind if you don’t feel like talking about it.
(Lindsey Lucas, 15, is obsessed with all things outdoors with dreams of becoming an accomplished outdoor media provider and influencer. She hopes the tips and experiences she shares will prove inspirational for other young men and women in her Gen Z age group.)
