Stacy Fujitani practices does swimming practice Tuesday afternoon during her spring break at Tokay High School. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

For some local students, balancing busy lives filled with school, activities a challenge

These days Stacy Fujitani gets to sleep in until 6 a.m. It may not be much, but the Tokay senior far prefers her new sleep schedule to the old one. Not too long ago Fujitani rolled out of bed at 4:30 a.m. to make it to swim practice before going to school.

Life is a little bit easier now, but only by an hour-and-a-half. After school, Fujitani swims for another few hours before going home, eating, studying and preparing to do it all over again the next day.

In recent years, high school students have been taking on more and more activities. Experts say the source of this increase comes from a number of factors and the line between an active and overscheduled student is hard to discern.

A study published earlier this year in the "High School Journal," called "Adolescent Overscheduling," found that "over the past 20 years there has been a 12 hour per week decline in children's free time, including a 25 percent decrease in play and a 50 percent decrease in outdoor activities."

While the study said that a certain amount of activities can boost a student's grades, it also mentioned that free time may relieve stress, help students form a sense of identity and the lack of it can produce anxiety.

Dr. Steven G. Little, a professor of psychology at Walden University and co-author of the study said that pressure to participate in so many activities can come from parents and peers, or it can be self-imposed.

"I think our society has built up the idea that ... if you are not constantly busy, then you are not being productive," Little said.

Some of the pressure to participate in as many different activities as possible may stem from teens feeling the need to be "well-rounded" to get accepted to college.

Admission experts, however, downplay the need to be involved in activities.

Keith Sanpei, an enrollment services counselor at Pacific, said that extracurricular activities can contribute to a student's maturity level, but they won't make up for an ailing GPA.

Keith Widaman, chair of the Committee for Admissions and Enrollment, said students see their activities as ends in themselves. The amount of activities, he said, only makes a difference on whether or not a student gets accepted to the university in a very small number of cases. A student's GPA, SAT score and selection of classes will be weighed most heavily.

Lodi High School senior Kenny Laney, 18, said that between his job, school and his extracurricular activities, he barely has time to sit down but that he keeps going to "stay out of trouble."

Laney works 32 hours a week in the meat department of a local grocery store. On top of work, Laney is active in Future Farmers of America's local chapter, acts as Lodi High School's rally commissioner and spends some of his weekends riding bulls in the Northern California Junior Rodeo Association.

Laney's philosophy on riding bulls: "Think about what you're doing when you're doing it. Clear your mind or you might get hurt."

Laney's aunt and legal guardian, Dede St. John, said she's proud of her nephew's accomplishments, but Laney said sometimes his family wonders if he's doing too much.

Linda Webster, associate professor and chair for the educational psychology department at Pacific, said children will let their parents know if they're feeling overwhelmed.

Webster said problems occur when parents pressure their children to overperform both academically or in their extracurricular activities. These children, Webster said, can show increased symptoms of depression.

Children often want to be involved in many after school activities, but have trouble balancing them with homework.

Webster said parents can help their children by coming up with creative solutions to manage their busy schedules. These steps can include talking to teachers and getting their homework assignments earlier.

But above all, Webster said, parents should listen to their children.

Gayle Fujitani, Stacy's mother, said when Stacy came down with mono she worried if her daughter was doing too much. Eventually, she left the call to tone it down up to Stacy.

"It's hard, but you have to make decisions," Stacy said. "I really enjoy swimming. I've done it my whole life."

Kyle Suess, the sophomore class president at Lodi High, said that although he's busy, he doesn't have any trouble keeping up with his schedule.

Suess balances his academic and social life with his job at a local hair salon, Lodi High's varsity basketball team and two church groups.

"It's pretty easy as long as you do the stuff that needs to get done first," Suess said.

Kyle's father, Kerry Suess, said that while some of his own habits might have rubbed off on Kyle, he largely credits his son's talent for juggling multiple activities to Kyle himself.

"He does more than what I would expect him to do as a parent," Kerry Suess said.

Jennifer Tillett, a Lodi High speech teacher, said she's amazed at the amount of activities students are able to handle, but said it could have a negative impact.

"It's absolutely mind baffling how they fit all theses things into their schedule," Tillett said.

Tillett said conflict arises when students' grades suffer at the result of their after-school activities.

She suggests students get involved with more established programs, such as speech and debate, to get the most out of their education.

"There's a big push to do as many things as possible, but not necessarily the best things."

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.