By Jola Akin-Olugbade

Every school day is a series of micro-transactions. You are constantly trading your time and effort for knowledge, skills, and results. Like any economy, there are strategies for investment and patterns of spending. This is the story of how two students navigate the market, each with a very different portfolio.

For each student, the school day is a fixed set of hours. How two students navigate it, however, can be a world apart. Dive deep into the decision two different students I interviewed make every day, and how it works out for them. I’ve called them Leo and Sam.

1. The Morning Launch (Before School)

The Decision: How to start the day.

Leo: Leo’s mornings are sorted before he even wakes up. His bag’s packed the night before and waiting by the door. He eats, grabs his kit, skims through the first lesson, and heads out. By the time he gets to school, he’s calm, organised, and already in gear.

Sam: Sam’s mornings are… let’s say more chaotic. He throws things into his bag based on what he thinks he needs, usually realising he’s missing something just as he’s about to leave. He makes it to school (most of the time), but it’s usually after a frantic dash from the station, fuelled by adrenaline more than planning.

The Contrast: Leo plans ahead. Sam wings it.

2. The Lesson Grind (Periods 1–5)

The Decision: How to pay attention in class.

Leo: Leo listens for the structure of the lesson. He doesn’t just copy everything down — he tries to understand how the ideas connect, making neat notes that help him remember the bigger picture.

Sam: Sam tunes in when something catches his interest. A random fact might stick in his head for days, but the main point sometimes slips by. His notes are a mix of genius and gaps. He’s engaged, but in his own way.

The Contrast: Leo builds a clear understanding. Sam follows what sparks his curiosity.

3. The Social Exchange (Break and Lunch)

The Decision: How to use your break.

Leo: Leo uses breaks to quickly clear up anything he didn’t get in class. He might chat with a teacher for five minutes, then join his friends. By the time the next lesson starts, his mind’s clear and ready.

Sam: Sam’s break time is full-on social mode. He’s in the middle of every conversation, every joke, every story. It’s his time to shine. When the bell goes, he’s buzzing — sometimes a little too much to switch back into class mode.

The Contrast: Leo balances social and practical. Sam lives fully in the moment.

4. The Afternoon Push (Periods 6–8)

The Decision: How to deal with tiredness.

Leo: Leo knows his energy drops later in the day, so he pushes himself to stay focused — eye contact with the teacher, answering questions, staying engaged. It’s a deliberate effort, but it works.

Sam: Sam’s focus depends on the lesson. If it’s dull, his mind drifts to what he’s doing after school. If it’s interesting, he suddenly lights up, sometimes asking the smartest question in the room. His attention comes in bursts, not a steady line.

The Contrast: Leo works to stay focused. Sam relies on his spark.

5. The Final Whistle (End of School)

The Decision: What happens after the bell.

Leo: When school ends, Leo switches into his next phase. He’s got football practice, then he’ll spend an hour on homework while the lesson is still fresh in his mind. That way, he can relax properly later without stress hanging over him.

Sam: For Sam, the bell means freedom. He genuinely means to work later, but that’s a job for Future Sam. Right now, he’s chilling with friends, playing games, and unwinding. Future Sam often ends up regretting that.

The Contrast: Leo treats his time as connected. Sam lives in the now.