By Celia Møller
Have you ever wished you could design your day the way you wanted, balancing schoolwork, hobbies, and your social life with ease? That’s what being an ASU Prep Digital student feels like for me! The flexibility of this online program lets me shape my schedule in a way that works best for me, allowing me to work ahead and finish my classes early.
My day starts at 8 a.m., and after tidying my room and doing my skincare routine, I get dressed and create my to-do list. I honestly couldn’t get through my day without these lists—they keep me organized and help me stay focused on my priorities. I love that with ASUPD, I can plan out my day exactly how I want, altering it to whatever commitments I have that day. After finishing up my list, I head outside for a morning walk to soak up some sunshine, followed by breakfast and my favorite matcha latte (or coffee, depending on the day).
Once I’m settled in, I answer any emails/texts I have received and then dive into my schoolwork. I usually begin with my high school classes before shifting to my concurrent enrollment courses. Currently, I’m working on SES 106, a Session B class, and I recently completed my Session A class, ENG 105. I have been taking advantage of the concurrent enrollment program here at ASUPD since 9th grade – It’s definitely been a challenge working on higher demanding courses! I aim to work in 30- to 60-minute intervals with short breaks in between, but sometimes I get so focused that I just keep going until I can’t think straight anymore. In addition to my classes, I also am part of two clubs: Student Blog and Student Ambassadors. Being Lead Editor of Blog comes with its own responsibilities, such as preparing for and hosting meetings as well as regularly updating the blog and assisting my fellow bloggers. Around noon, I break for lunch, which helps me reset for the afternoon.
In the evenings, I like to head over to the local park to play soccer. Whether I’m practicing alone or playing with friends, it’s a great way to clear my head and enjoy the (finally!) cooler weather. Afterward, I shower, have dinner, practice ukulele for my weekly lesson, and—despite knowing I should stop—I often keep working on assignments. The motivation to get ahead is hard to resist for me, but I’m working on finding better balance and improving my late-night habits. I often struggle to fall asleep, but luckily, ASUPD’s flexible schedule means I don’t have to wake up too early and be tired the next day.
One of the biggest challenges I face as a digital student is knowing when to stop working. With the freedom to create my own schedule, it’s easy to just keep going until I’m exhausted. However, I’m learning to take more frequent breaks and balance my day better so that I can be productive without burning out (as I often do around the middle point of the semester). I started creating timers on my phone to remind myself to take breaks. Throughout my academic journey, a key to my success has been the support I get from my teachers and family. They’re always there when I need help, and that sense of connection makes a big difference.
In summary, being a part of ASU Prep Digital has given me the tools to shape my daily life in a way that works for me. From working ahead to finishing classes early, to balancing my college courses and extracurriculars/hobbies, I feel more in control of my learning than ever before. I love how my schedule gives me room for sports, creative projects, and socializing, all while keeping up with my academic goals. Each day is a bit different for me, but with the flexibility of ASUPD, I can truly make the most of every day!
Thank you for reading!
-Celia
