Best Of Both Worlds: Learning And Living

Written by: Ysabelle Denise Kish Andres

I used to think I should choose.

As a student and a young individual, it often feels like you're constantly stuck in one world. At school, you focus on academics, expectations, and deadlines. At home, you still do homework. Breaks aren't even considered as breaks due to the amount of workload given. Even your free time is haunted by unfinished assignments.

It feels that learning keeps you from living your life. Learning was supposed to be fun—or at least that’s what they tell us. But somewhere between deadlines and expectations, the joy fades, leaving us wondering: when did studying start feeling like a hindrance to living? It’s like you’re doing it because you need to, not because you want to. It may be exhausting at times; sometimes you just want to give up. Staying up late to finish an assignment. Not understanding a simple topic that your classmates do. The feeling of failing over and over again like there’s no progress. It just fills our minds.

Last year, I was a sophomore in high school. I studied in a science high school where things get hectic every single day. I don’t get enough sleep, and every time I do, I get so guilty. It became my routine to eat late, sleep for 4 hours a day, and prioritize my assignments first. But I knew it wasn’t healthy. One thing I did was reflect on myself. Is everything I do worth it? Is it all worth it in exchange for my health? I knew it wasn’t. I stopped and looked at the people around me, my family and friends that are there to help me. Their support reminded me of the importance of balance in my life.

I realized something: I didn’t need to choose between learning and living. I had to accept that both were important. Neglecting one would harm the other. My health, relationships, and happiness weren’t “extra” — they were part of what made me a better learner. I began to set boundaries, carving out moments for self-care and reconnecting with the joy of simple activities that nourished my spirit. Learning is even better when you’re with the people you love.

Learning should be enjoyable. Our school is our second home, and it should be. Why not change our perspective? Instead of considering school as a responsibility, let it be a place of growth. One step at a time, learning will feel like a habit, not just a chore. It is part of our lives; we discover something new as days go by. It generates new things to bring to our future.

Balancing is not choosing one over the other but accepting that both of them are considered important. The best education doesn’t just fill our minds; instead, it fuels our future. Living and learning should coexist, uniting students for one common goal: be the best of both worlds.