Stressed about a lack of stressors?

againwiththerelapsing

My junior year was the year I was in treatment. When I came back, I had over 60 overdue assignments. I barely got by, and I think I got so used to having behind work in school. Now I’m obviously a senior, and for the entire first quarter, I just didn’t do my homework. I was behind on almost everything, and had so much to do. Luckily I was able to get to passing grades, and now the second quarter is here.
Recently I’ve been keeping up with all of my work, making schedules and agendas and assignment checklists, and really keeping myself on track. Now, I have no important assignments that are overdue (nothing but 3-4 homework grades), but this brings up another issue. I’m getting my work done so fast and getting such good grades, but now I have nothing to catch up on. I feel almost like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and now I’m just like an astronaut coming back to Earth and readjusting to the gravity. I’ve invested more of my time into exercise, but it’s not really enough for me. I have so much free time, and a very limited social life (I was a shy kid my whole life, so I don’t have many friends).
Basically, my main question is: What do I do with all this free time, other than exercise?

ONUnicorn

Read. Pick a long series, like Wheel of Time or Dune or Dragon Riders of Pern.

Take up a hobby, like cross stitch or knitting or woodworking.

Find something you enjoy that's social, like joining a bowling league, learning to square dance, playing cards.

If you like academic research type activities, get into editing Wikipedia.

snowflake954

icankickyourass wrote: »

My junior year was the year I was in treatment. When I came back, I had over 60 overdue assignments. I barely got by, and I think I got so used to having behind work in school. Now I’m obviously a senior, and for the entire first quarter, I just didn’t do my homework. I was behind on almost everything, and had so much to do. Luckily I was able to get to passing grades, and now the second quarter is here.
Recently I’ve been keeping up with all of my work, making schedules and agendas and assignment checklists, and really keeping myself on track. Now, I have no important assignments that are overdue (nothing but 3-4 homework grades), but this brings up another issue. I’m getting my work done so fast and getting such good grades, but now I have nothing to catch up on. I feel almost like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and now I’m just like an astronaut coming back to Earth and readjusting to the gravity. I’ve invested more of my time into exercise, but it’s not really enough for me. I have so much free time, and a very limited social life (I was a shy kid my whole life, so I don’t have many friends).
Basically, my main question is: What do I do with all this free time, other than exercise?

Do you really have no hobbies? No reading for fun, painting, drawing, sewing, quilting, sculpture, charity work, helping other students in difficulty, working with animals,.........

I think you get the idea. The world is yours. I've always done a million things, and know how to do many things. Get going.

AnnPT77

Reinforcing what others have said above: You're at the perfect time in your life to learn complex, useful life skills through hobbies: Learn to play a musical instrument, learn basic carpentry, work on skills at an art or craft, learn to sew and make your own clothes, grow a veggie garden, etc.

You're at the point where you have adult intellect, but more time/energy availability than you'll have when out in the world on your own.

Any of those are skills that will enhance your life later, and if you work hard at one now, but have to drop it later as life gets more complicated, you'll be able to pick it up again more easily than you could learn it from scratch in later years.

Other options: Join a sports team. Volunteer. Start researching potential careers that interest you, make real-world contacts who work in those fields (parents' friends, friends' parents, relatives, even safe strangers) to learn what working in the field is *really* like. If something looks good, you could even ask to job-shadow or intern.

brandondanieley

I like studying new topics I’m not familiar with! I also like to get outdoors on my free time because it is a great stress reliever!

callsitlikeiseeit

Are you not preparing for college or life after high school (vocational or trade school, etc?). Do you not have to have volunteer hours to graduate?

My son is an underclassman in high school but I know quite a few juniors and seniors and time is not something they have a lot of.

There's always ... getting a job?

volunteering because its a good thing to do (and not because you have to in order to graduate).

becoming active in local groups that interest you (local writers groups, artist groups, theaters-either on stage or behind the scenes, etc)

Read. Anything. Everything.

FierceandFree

All of the above suggestions are great--and when you decide on one that fits you--your life will be enriched.
What I would add is a little different, though. Have you stopped to acknowledge and celebrate the massive achievement of your discipline? You were in treatment. You have fought back twice to remain in school. You have added an arsenal or time management and other practices to your life. Way to go, you!! In my life, I have found that adding little rituals of acknowledgement has helped me. A bangle for my wrist. A cooking gadget. Something frivolous, but meaningful. Congratulations to you!!!

Xerogs

againwiththerelapsing wrote: »

Basically, my main question is: What do I do with all this free time, other than exercise?

Pursue what interests you, only you can answer that.

I was into art so I spent a lot of my free time drawing and painting when I was your age. If I wasn't doing that I was doing research on expanding my artistic skills or just checking out other artists work that I admired. I also got a job at a theater that did expand my social life even being the introvert that I am.

I also realized back then that I didn't need to fill every moment of my time with things to do. Sometimes I would just go out on a hike (weather permitting) and just marvel a the world on some hilltop (just be extra careful hiking on your own if you're not experienced a good park will work too). It was really cool how much the world comes to life if you sit quietly and just listen. It's OK to unplug from technology it will be there when you get back.

There are some good suggestions others have mentioned. I hope you find what you are looking for.

avatiach

Fantastic work. Congratulate yourself! I also agree with the above posters. But would also add—maybe make an effort to connect with a couple of people to do things with—lots of other shy people are waiting for others to make the first move—
If you have specific interests, you could think about volunteering in those areas.