Summer is finally coming to an end and that means a couple things. First, after all of the training and off-season work you’ve put in, fall sports are here! And with fall sports comes another thing; school.
Being a student athlete can be tough, especially at the beginning of the year. Athletes in school wake up, go to school for 8 hours, attend practice, do their homework, then go to bed. Now that sounds like a busy schedule, which is why balancing school and sports is so important.
Learning how to balance school and sports may take some getting used to. Today we are going to talk about some tips on how to do just that.
1. Manage your time wisely
Being a student athlete means your day-to-day schedule is going to be busy; it’s similar to having a full-time job. In high school, you are at school and practice until about 6 or 7 every day. When you come home you are doing homework, watching film and still trying to get an ample amount of sleep. It is very tough. It’s even harder in college, because you’re away from home and on your own.
Focusing on your time management is probably the best thing you can do as a student athlete. At the beginning of the school year, it may be difficult to get used to things again, especially coming from summer. Planning your days and weeks will help you understand everything that needs to be done and when you are going to do that. Knowing when you’re going to watch film and have practice and lifting will allow you to plan out when you’re going to do your homework and study.
2. Communicate Effectively
Another thing to try and focus on is communicating effectively to your professors. Professors and teachers are there to make sure you’re learning, understanding and having success in your academics. If you are in high school, teachers usually know when you’re going to be absent or have to miss class for a game. In college, however, it’s a different story. It is important to let your professors and teachers know at the beginning of the semester that you are a student athlete, and let them know when you’re going to be missing class.
It is also important to form good relationships with your teachers and professors. They are there to help you. If you need extra help or have any questions, you should be communicating that with your professor.
3. Work with teammates and other athletes
Chances are, you are going to be in the same classes or have the same major as some of your teammates, or even just other athletes at your school. Use this to your advantage when studying for exams or for homework. Asking questions and getting a different perspective on a set topic can help you learn and excel when it comes to school.
Being an athlete in school is a great opportunity, yet school is inevitably what you are there for. You should be putting school first in everything you do, no matter what grade you are in. You work and train hard to be the best athlete you can be, and you should be doing just the same with your academics.
