High school can be overwhelming with all of the constant homework, friend drama, anxiety about the future and much more. For junior Ella Obidi, who maintains a 4.0 GPA, works long hours and prepares for life after graduation, it’s all about finding balance.
A typical day for Ella at about 6-6:30 a.m. After getting ready and making breakfast, she heads to school. Living just a five-minute walk away from school gives Ella the ability to head home for lunch, which is great because it offers a quick break from the busy school environment. After school her schedule stays packed. With all the time spent working, with friends or family, reading, practicing the clarinet, or keeping up with homework, Ella rarely has downtime.
Balancing a job with school can be challenging. Ella recently worked up to 30 hours in one week which she realized was too much. “I thought I could do it, but that’s pushing it,” she said. Despite this, she manages her academic responsibilities well by staying organized and avoiding procrastination.
When asked if Timpview provides a good environment for both learning and social growth, she explained how “It’s definitely hard at times, but you can find your group and what you want to do because there are a lot of options.” Ella continued to highlight all of the good she has found at Timpview, saying, “It’s a great place to grow. I feel like Timpview is a good place to be academically.” She especially enjoys her AP English Language class with Mrs. Van Orden, describing it as “engaging and meaningful”, and she also looks forward to her accounting class.
Having previously lived in California, Ella has a unique perspective on her school experience here in Utah. She described the school system in California as a hard environment to be in because of the heavy drug use, daily physical fights and constant drama. While Ella misses California’s weather and beaches, she says that Utah and Timpview have offered her a more positive and supportive atmosphere.
Like many juniors, Ella is feeling pressure of the future. She admits to feeling some anxiety about taking the ACT and applying to college. “I know what I want to do,” she said, “but I’m worried about how to do it, and what steps to take to get to my goals.” To manage stress Ella relies on organization and structure. She describes herself as “super type A,” and she uses lists to rank tasks by priority. “It’s helpful to see everything on paper and visualize it.” she explained. Taking things one step at a time helps her stay focused, even when life feels overwhelming.
Looking ahead, Ella plans to attend college and earn a bachelor’s degree with a focus on financial planning or banking. She hopes to attend a local college or San Diego State University, combining her interest in numbers with her long-term goals of building a career.
