By Margarita Nichas Head of Academics & HOD of English, St Benedict’s College

 

“Find your balance.” It is the defining buzzphrase of modern society, but in the demanding world of a high-achieving boys’ school in Johannesburg, it often feels like an impossible, lofty ideal. The word “balance” implies a flawless reality: that you must have everything perfectly together, manage every second seamlessly, and achieve peak success in every single arena of your life.

Let’s be honest—this level of perfection is completely unrealistic for adults, let alone teenagers tackling the high-stakes pressure of high school. So, how do you actually find this elusive state of mind? As a mother, I have watched my own two children strive to find their footing during their high school years. As an educator with 20 years of experience at an IEB boys’ school in Johannesburg, I have walked the long matric road alongside countless students. Did they all achieve perfect balance? Not always. But reflecting on those years of discussions and family scheduling, I have realised that many did find a great place to land: a realistic balance.

The Myth of Doing It All in Matric

It is no secret that an immense amount is demanded of students today, particularly at a private boys’ school where young men are encouraged to pursue academics, sport, culture and leadership opportunities. On any given day, a matriculant is expected to train for high-level sports, rush off to a music lesson, and finally sit down—utterly exhausted—past 8:00 pm to tackle vital maths homework, an English speech, and a business report, all due the following morning.

By March, this exhausting routine inevitably leads to burnout and panic. By the time preliminary examinations arrive, some students simply check out, convincing themselves, “I’ll just coast now and find my balance in time to focus for the finals.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. True balance isn’t a switch you can flip at the end of the year. It is built day by day, achieved by working consistently on small, manageable tasks.

Practical Steps to Realistic Balance

If you want to summit the “Everest” that is your matric year without burning out, you need strategy, focus, and discipline. Here is my practical advice for navigating the climb:

    • Ditch the digital scrolling, embrace the desk calendar: Buy a physical desk calendar with large blocks. The trick is to look at the week ahead rather than the week behind. Empower yourself by planning.
    • Own your Sunday evenings: Spend some time every Sunday night mapping out the upcoming week. Write down every sports practice, match, rehearsal, and test.
    • Schedule your rest: Do not just plan your work—plan your downtime. Block out time for family events and social activities. Dedicate a specific day entirely to rest, and be mindful of how much energy you expend partying over the weekend. Spending 48 straight hours out with friends ruins balance just as quickly as sitting at a desk for 14 hours a day.
    • Be brutally realistic about time during matric exam preparation: Allocate specific hours to your activities and accept what can reasonably be achieved in a single day. Consistently working until 2:00 am will only guarantee burnout before mid-year.
    • Manage your screen time: Minimise social media usage. It is one of the biggest thieves of your peace and productivity.
  • Use AI to help you plan a schedule: For all the controversy, AI can be very useful in organising a plan.

You Are Not Climbing Alone

To our matric boys: this year will undoubtedly feel overwhelming at times, but you do not have to carry the weight by yourselves. If you are struggling to stay afloat, reach out. At our boys’ school in Johannesburg, one of the greatest strengths available to you is a strong support network—teachers, guidance counsellors, and parents are all here to help you find your footing.

Matric is a mountain, absolutely—but with strategic planning, daily consistency, and a realistic outlook, it is a peak you can successfully summit.