School, Clubs, Family and Friend Issues ... Am I the Only One Struggling ?

Hullo,
So, I have had this problem for at least a week now and I am sick of despairing over it all.
To cut a long story short I am horribly behind and it's not because I don't have the motivation or anything ... I just don't have time to write. I'm currently in year twelve, and have masses of work and extra revision to do, I also do a lot of out of school drama, which means a lot of time dedicated to learning my lines (sigh) on top of friend's parties and ex best friend problems etc.
Anyway, I will stop ranting now, but you can see my problems, dose anyone have any tips on how to get my word count up, without ruining my chances of getting good A Levels??

Sometimes you may have to ignore your social life for an hour or so and just write and keep on writing. I would say just skip the parties, unless it's actually an important occasion like a birthday or something. Stop despairing and start writing :P But really, if you literally cannot find enough time to do NaNo and still keep up your grades to an acceptable level, I'd say just skip it this year (though it pains me to advise that). No matter how awesome NaNo is it shouldn't impair your schoolwork, as with any extracurricular.

Right now I'm balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars (Forensics, Science Club, and Violin), a iffy friend, parties/fun, AND NaNoWriMo.
I've found that taking a notebook to school helps, and using extra time (lunch and if you get to class early) to write a few sentences or so, and typing it up later. I also write whenever I can in the morning. I am a little behind.
(Just a little bragging here, I got on the honor roll this semester! :) Happy!)
So if I can do it, so can you!

When I was in my last year of high school, I belonged to so many clubs and did so much extra stuff that by the time I got to University, I was pretty much burnt out. I had an incredible high school career and then fell into a black hole for a couple years before coming back to my senses. I know how enticing it can be to juggle a gazillion things at once, and get away with it for a while, but I have to agree with amazeedayzee here - if you are doing too much, then consider skipping NaNo this year. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I couldn't do NaNo while I was in law school (though I'm sure there were people who did). But once I was out, and a lawyer, I came back to tackle this with a vengeance.

As amazing as NaNo is, the rest of your life can be pretty amazing, too. Don't worry - you'll get another shot next year.. and heck, now with Camp NaNo, you can do it in July!

You aren't alone... I'm juggling 14 units of college classes (two of which are 3 hours long), trying to find a university to transfer to, keeping my fiance moving along and stress free with his classes, maintaining a blog, a Video Game Development Club and job hunting.

I have NO time for ANYTHING. I'm surprised I haven't keeled over yet.

So don't worry, you're not the only one with a suffering word count because life won't get out of the way.

Hey, you want to do a quick word war? A drop everything and write? Right now.

Okay, new suggestion. www.writeordie.com Click the web app thing in the sidebar. Best thing that has happened to me concerning NaNo.

I have similar issues, too. I'm currently going through a break-up with my boyfriend, plus my birthday is next week, I have final projects to get started on, and I'm sure other stuff I can't think of right now. But I force myself to focus on my writing for at least an hour every day.

I'm sorry I haven't been on here for ages and thank you so much for all the advice ... it's nice to know that I'm not the only one struggling and you're advice will really help me when I come to do NaNo for 2nd time (or Camp NaNo, depending on how stressed I get :L. )
Thank You so much :)

Your not the only one! *Holds head and groans in despair*

Well much like yourself im having trouble balancing the time to write, and cope with university things, relationship and a whole other pile of things. But I found that it really works to set aside 2 hours per day to either write or read (this is actually a piece of advice from Stephen King). That way, even if you can manage to face the dreadful blank page, you still get some writing done and build your vocabulary, pace and ultimately improve your prose.

But I ramble. Point is, try setting aside a fixed block of two hours every day for these things. It might be helpful

you just told my life story............