Well-being Reflection Worksheet

Instructions: Reflect on the questions below. Your honest answers will help you understand your current balance between ambition and well-being. This is for your personal reflection.

Part 1: Your Ambitions

1. List 2-3 academic or personal goals you are currently working towards.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What motivates you to achieve these goals?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How much time per week do you typically spend on activities related to these goals (e.g., studying, extracurriculars, homework)?
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Your Well-being

1. On a scale of 1-5 (1 = not at all, 5 = very much), how energized do you feel most mornings?
   
   
   
   

2. What activities do you do to relax or de-stress? List 2-3.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How many hours of sleep do you usually get on a school night?
   
   
   
   

4. How often do you take breaks during long study sessions or homework blocks?
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Reflection & Connection

1. Do you feel like your current approach to your goals allows enough time for your well-being activities? Why or why not?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is one aspect of your current routine that you think you could adjust to better support both your ambition and well-being?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

My Balanced Success Plan

Instructions: Now that you've reflected on your current balance, it's time to create a plan to help you achieve your goals while also prioritizing your well-being. Fill out the sections below.

My Realistic Academic/Personal Goal

What is one specific, achievable academic or personal goal you want to work towards?

What makes this goal realistic for you at this time?

My Self-Care Strategies

List two specific self-care strategies you will implement to support your well-being while pursuing your goal. Think about what truly helps you recharge.

1. Strategy 1:
   
   
   
   
   How will you incorporate this into your routine? (e.g., specific time, frequency)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Strategy 2:
   
   
   
   
   How will you incorporate this into your routine? (e.g., specific time, frequency)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Recognizing and Responding to Burnout

What are 1-2 signs that you might be feeling overwhelmed or approaching burnout?

What is one specific action you will take if you notice these signs?

My Commitment

I commit to reviewing and adjusting this plan as needed to maintain a healthy balance between my ambition and my well-being. (Initial below)

Student Initials:



Date:

Teacher Script: Balancing Ambition and Well-being

Introduction: What Does Success Look Like? (10 minutes)

(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 1: "Welcome! Balancing Ambition & Well-being")

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important for your lives, both now and in the future: finding a healthy balance between working hard to achieve your goals and taking care of yourselves. We all have ambitions – whether it's getting good grades, excelling in a sport, learning a new skill, or preparing for college. But how do we pursue those ambitions without getting completely overwhelmed or burning out? That's what we'll explore today."

(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 2: "What Does 'Success' Mean?")

"Let's start with a quick thought experiment. In your own words, what does 'success' mean to you personally? You don't have to share out loud yet, just think about it for a moment.

Now, how do we often define success in school? What are the typical indicators?

Is there a difference between your personal definition and how success is often measured academically? Sometimes there is, and that's okay. The key is to understand that true, sustainable success often requires more than just achieving external goals; it also involves feeling good and healthy along the way."

Understanding Your Current Balance (15 minutes)

(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 3: "Finding Your Balance")

"Today isn't about choosing between ambition and well-being. It's about finding a way for both to thrive together. To do that, we first need to understand where we currently stand."

(Distribute Well-being Reflection Worksheet)

(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 4: "Self-Reflection: Where Are You Now?")

"I'm handing out a Well-being Reflection Worksheet. This worksheet is for your eyes only; you won't be required to share your personal answers with the class. Please take about 10 minutes to honestly reflect on the questions. Think about your goals, your energy levels, and how you currently manage stress. This is a chance to check in with yourself."

(Circulate the room, offering quiet support and answering questions. After 10 minutes, bring the class back together.)

"Thank you for taking the time to reflect. You don't need to share specifics, but based on your reflections, did anyone notice anything surprising about their current balance? Or perhaps something they already suspected? (Allow for a few general, non-personal comments if students offer them, e.g., 'I realized I don't take enough breaks' or 'I spend more time on X than I thought')."

Building Your Balanced Success Plan (20 minutes)

(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 5: "Setting Realistic Goals")

"One of the biggest ways to prevent feeling overwhelmed is to set realistic goals. It's wonderful to aim high, but it's even better to aim high with a plan that allows you to actually get there without burning out. This means breaking big goals into smaller, achievable steps."

(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 6: "Prioritizing Your Well-being")

"Equally important is actively prioritizing your well-being. What does 'self-care' actually mean to you? It's not just about bubble baths or vacations; it's about the daily habits that recharge your energy. This includes getting enough sleep, eating nourishing food, taking regular breaks, spending time on hobbies, and connecting with friends and family. These aren't luxuries; they are essential for your performance and happiness."

**(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 7: "Recognizing Burnout")

"Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we might push ourselves too hard. It's important to recognize the signs of burnout: feeling constantly exhausted, losing interest in things you usually enjoy, having trouble concentrating, or feeling irritable. If you notice these signs in yourself or a friend, it's a signal to adjust your approach and perhaps reach out for support."

(Distribute My Balanced Success Plan Activity)

"Now, you're going to create your own My Balanced Success Plan Activity. Take about 15 minutes to fill this out. On this activity, you'll set one realistic academic or personal goal, and then, crucially, you'll identify two specific self-care strategies you will use to support your well-being while working towards that goal. Think about how you will incorporate these strategies into your routine."

(Circulate, providing individual guidance and answering questions. Encourage students to be specific with their self-care strategies and how they will implement them.)

Wrap-up: One Small Step (5 minutes)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. You've done some great thinking and planning today. To wrap up, I'd like each of you to silently commit to one small step you can take this week to move towards a more balanced approach. It could be taking a 10-minute break after every hour of homework, going to bed 15 minutes earlier, or scheduling a fun activity."

(Display Balancing Ambition Slide Deck - Slide 8: "Your Journey to Balanced Success")

"Remember, finding balance is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It's about making conscious choices to invest in yourself so that you can achieve sustainable success and truly enjoy the process. Prioritizing your well-being isn't a sign of weakness; it's a foundation for strength and long-term achievement. Thank you, everyone!"