The end of the school year is fast approaching and between homework, classes and year-end exams, it can feel like there isn't time for anything else.
So how do Top of Utah teens spend those few precious moments of free time?
For Danielle Wall, a senior at Morgan High School, those moments are full of activities, her favorite being scuba diving.
"My friends and I thought it would be fun and one day we just decided to do it, so we went and got certified, and ever since we go whenever we have free time," Wall says.
Becoming certified takes hard work, but Wall finds it well worth the effort.
"I like it because it's not a normal hobby and you get to go deeper into the ocean than you can naturally," says the senior, who does her Utah dives at the Homestead Crater in Heber City.
For anyone interested in scuba diving, Wall recommends that you first make sure you can swim very well and that you're not too claustrophobic. If you are, "it's not good," she says.
Dive into music
If scuba diving isn't the thing for you, you might want to hear what Anna Tropnikova enjoys.
Tropnikova, a junior at Clearfield High School, loves playing the guitar. She began learning how four years ago with the help of her mom's boyfriend.
"I love being able to figure out one of my favorite songs on the guitar and play it myself," Tropnikova says. "I love learning new styles of music I wouldn't have otherwise, like blues or jazz. I love improving and playing crazy lead."
For anyone looking to start guitar, the Clearfield junior suggests they don't buy a "mediocre pawn- shop guitar. These, more often than not, play worse than a good instrument, and can discourage you when the sound doesn't sound as good as you think it needs to be. A well-crafted instrument can motivate you to spend more time practicing."
And as any musician knows, practice makes perfect.
Just do it
Jake Williams chooses to use his free time drawing.
"I enjoy drawing because it is a stress relief," the Layton High School senior says.
All it takes is a pencil, a sketchbook and a little imagination.
"Just draw," advises Williams. "Drawing involves emotions. You don't have to be perfect, just draw."
Joel Fletcher, a Northridge High School senior, uses his free time to play soccer. He began playing at age 8 and has since found true enjoyment in the sport.
At times it can be hard to stay in shape, but Fletcher says he loves the release the sport brings: "I can let go and stop thinking about what I have to do."
If you'd like to give soccer a shot, Fletcher recommends signing up for some recreational teams and see if you find it fun.
"It you don't have fun with it, then you won't enjoy doing it," he says.
On the rocks
For those with a more artistic interest, Jessica Wright would suggest trying ceramics.
"I took a class in ceramics this year and I discovered I really love it. You can make something out of nothing!" the Layton High School senior says.
Making ceramics can be a time-consuming hobby, but Wright finds it worth the time.
"Take a class at your school, then you can discover if it's something you enjoy," she says.
Garrett Housley, a sophomore at Northridge High School, gets his stress relief from a different source -- rock climbing.
"My older brother took me once. I was a natural at it and it was a lot of fun so I decided to do it more often," Housley says.
Since then rock climbing has become "a break from everything else" for this Northridge student.
If you're looking for a similar release, Housley suggests you "just go to a rock climbing gym and try it out."
As any of these teens would attest, there is a hobby out there for everyone, whether it is soccer and running or theater and ceramics. Just find what you're interested in and start a hobby that helps you further your interest -- and take a breather.
Hillary Slaughter is a junior at Layton High School. She loves reading, crafts and "the great outdoors." You can reach her at hilleymae@hotmail.com.
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