Sure, you go to school to learn. You want to get good grades, and you probably want to go on to college or a trade school. But a big part of high school is being able to make new friends, be social, and create memories you’ll have for the rest of your life. And the good news is you can make school social and fun, while still learning.

Many times, students seem to move towards one extreme – they slack on their studies and would rather hang out with friends, go to parties, and have fun. Or, they spend so much time studying and trying to get good grades that they miss out on all the fun opportunities high school provides. Neither of these extremes are very good.

But you can still strike a balance between the two, so you can make sure you have fun while still learning at the same time. The following tips will help you learn how to do this:

• Remember, you are there to learn. Part of being able to juggle learning and fun is to know when it’s appropriate to have fun and when it isn’t. While you’re in class, focus on paying attention to the lectures and what is being taught. This isn’t the time to pass notes, text your friends, or think about what you’re going to wear on your date this weekend. You can do all of those things before school, at lunch, or on your passing periods. But when you’re in class, focus on the material at hand. This is easier if you take notes, which forces you to pay attention.
• Join a club. Clubs are a great way to be social and have fun at school. Some schools even allow clubs to meet during the day, instead of after or before school. Joining a club not only lets you make friends and develop new skills or practice a hobby, but it will also help increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice. You can even go a step further and join an academic club, so you can learn and have fun at the same time.
• Form a study group. Forming a study group with friends and classmates is a great way to have fun and be social while boosting your grades and study habits at the same time. Have each member write out questions to ask the others, or go over study guides together. Quiz each other and make flash cards. Once you’re finished with your studying, reward yourselves by going out and doing something fun.
• Join a sport. If you want to stay fit, have fun, and be social, consider trying out for a sport. Most schools require that you maintain a certain grade point average in order to remain on the team, so playing sports is good motivation for studying and learning in school. Most schools offer a wide range of sports, from basketball to cheering to swimming, so it’s just a matter of choosing your favorite and then trying out!

There are many ways to make school a fun, sociable experience without sacrificing your studies. Getting involved in clubs or sports and knowing when to have fun and when to study will help you strike the right balance.