Dear Carli,

I play a sport, take hard classes and am in several clubs. I feel like I can balance my schedule, but my parents disagree and keep telling me that I don’t have enough time to balance my social life and my academics. They haven’t restricted me from going out yet, but I feel that if I don’t talk to them about it, they will eventually tell me I need to do all of my schoolwork before I can go anywhere with my friends. What can I say to help them see that I can be responsible and manage both?

-Busy Student

Dear Busy Student,

Actions speak louder than words. During the school week, focus on your studies most of the time. Go to your living room and do some homework. This way you will prove to your parents that you’re getting work done in a timely manner. Make your time management seen rather than just heard. Also, by showing how effective you are in staying on top of your studies, if your parents do decide to restrict you, you just have to remind themthat they’ve seen you finish your work firsthand. But, make sure to not get too caught up in one activity. Let your social life balance out by doing all your school work during the week and taking the weekend off to satisfy your social needs.

-Carli