Language & Logic

The New York Times posted a current event conversation: “A Day in the LIfe of a Teenager” on Oct. 02, 2025. Since I can’t post there yet, I’m sharing my reflection here — about what my life will be as a teenager.

The New York Times article “A Day in the Life of a Teenager” really shows how different every teen’s routine can be depending on their life, family, or goals. It includes stories from students who wake up before the sun rises for sports, take care of their siblings, or even deal with chronic illness. Some have nonstop days filled with classes, clubs, and part-time jobs, while others try to find quiet moments between the chaos. What I liked about this article is that it shows the real, unfiltered side of being a teenager. It is not all perfect outfits, fancy coffee, or aesthetic vlogs like people see on TikTok. It is about what life actually feels like: tiring, repetitive, busy, but still meaningful in its own way.

A lot of people think teenagers spend all their time on their phones or just complain about school, but the students in this article show that we actually do a lot. Some of them are up before 5 a.m. for practice, others spend their evenings helping family, and many are staying up late just to get homework done. There is one thing they all have in common though: they are constantly moving. Everyone is trying to balance school, social life, family, and rest, even if it feels impossible sometimes. Reading it made me think about my own schedule and how much I actually do in a single day without even realizing it.

My routine is definitely packed, but it has a rhythm that I have gotten used to. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I wake up at 7:20 and start getting ready right away. Around 7:55 I leave for school and get there around 8:05. I usually sit in the middle school common area to finish up homework or just get organized before first period starts at 8:30. School goes until 3:30, and after I pack up, I carpool with my friend Victoria to the club where we swim. 4:30-6:00pm is my swimming period. I usually get home around 6:40, start my homework at 6:45, and finish around 8:30. After that I get ready for bed, scroll for a bit, and try to sleep by 8:50.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are my early days. I wake up at 5:30am for fitness training. The workouts are hard, but once I get going it actually wakes me up. The water on Saturdays feels freezing at first, but it refreshes me up faster than coffee ever could. My school day is the same as usual, but after school I have French tutoring before swim. Swim ends around 7:30, then I do light homework, and go to bed around 9:00. It sounds tiring, and honestly, it is. But it also keeps me focused, and I like knowing what my day looks like before it starts.

Reading the article made me realize that while my schedule is really structured, it is also not that different from other students’ lives in the article. We all have something we are trying to keep up with, whether it is schoolwork, sports, or family. I could relate to the student-athlete who said she is always exhausted but still pushes through because that is exactly how I feel after a long swim or fitness session. I also related to the student who talked about discipline and routine. Even though I sometimes complain about having to wake up early or do homework after swim, deep down I know it keeps me motivated and responsible.

What the article does best is to remind people that being a teenager is not as simple as it looks. We might not have full-time jobs or pay rent, but we are still managing stress, exhaustion, and expectations every day. Our routines might look average from the outside, but inside, there is a lot of effort behind each hour. Between classes, activities, and just trying to stay awake, most of us are learning how to balance everything at once, and that is something that should be appreciated more.

In the end, “A Day in the Life of a Teenager” shows that even the most ordinary routines tell real stories about determination and balance. My own schedule might not be glamorous or exciting, but it is a real reflection of who I am right now. It is filled with school, swim, fitness, and small moments that help me feel accomplished, even if I am tired at the end of the day. Maybe being a teenager is not about finding balance, but learning to live inside the imbalance.

What does a typical day look like for you? Is your schedule calm, chaotic, or somewhere in between? Share how you balance it all — I’d love to know.

About Pearl

Pearl Z. is a Grade 7 student who loves reading, swimming, and solving puzzles. She started the Language & Logic forum to connect literature, current issues, and creative problem-solving, and to give students a space to share their voices.