Being a former student athlete in high school, I can relate a lot to my clients who are trying to navigate both school and sports to the best of their abilities. Classes, homework, studying, quizzes, tests, tutoring…practice, morning workouts, summer workouts, conditioning, team bonding, watching film, games. It can all feel like…a lot. Sometimes at 16 or 17, questions start to linger like how do I balance all of these things well and perform my best? Is it even possible? Does one thing have to be sacrificed for the other to succeed? Below are a few helpful tips that have helped a lot of my clients answer these questions and successfully balance being both student and athlete.
Time management
One of the most valuable things in life is time. We’re always in need of more, but there never seems to be enough of it. Though, we can’t create more time, managing how we spend the time we do have can often leave us feeling like we had a few more minutes or hours than the day before. As a student athlete, managing your time might be prioritizing where your focus should be depending on the time of day. Ask yourself whether your best studying is in the morning, afternoon, or at night? Would you have a more productive workout before your day gets started or as it’s coming to an end? Spending time on social media can be beneficial, as it is often a way we connect to friends, but be mindful that it doesn’t take up too much of your time, as you might miss out on the people and experiences in front of you. Managing your time more efficiently and strategically also leaves room for you to take care of yourself and mental well-being. This might look like an hour break in the day to read, listen to music, talk to a friend, or just rest. When your mind and body are taken care of, it’s easier to handle business on the field and in the classroom. Being a student athlete and finding time to fit everything in is a challenge, but learning how to manage your time can help you to prioritize the important things, take care of yourself, and allow you to show up well for the important test or big game.
Consistency
The biggest struggle for some student athletes is showing up consistently for your team or in the classroom. There is temptation to give it all you got for a period of time or for certain moments, and then step off the gas when it feels convenient or things become too challenging. Finding ways to overcome moments of discomfort and challenge separate good from great student athletes. This might look like reaching out for help when your game feels off or trying different study habits to produce better results. Being consistent in being your best not only produces better results on the field and in the classroom, but teaches you that you are capable of overcoming obstacles. It begins to create the mindset that even when things get tough you press on. You learn that you can do more than you think you can, creating confidence in your talent and abilities on and off the field.
Reflection
Being a student athlete often means your life is on the go go go. Your schedule can be jam packed from sun up to sun down. However, it is very important to prioritize time to sit, think, and reflect. Reflection can help with decision-making as you take time to re-evaluate your past choices or shortcomings, leading you to consider better choices in the future. It can also help start the process of identifying how you are feeling, what you are needing, and how you would want to communicate that with a trusted family member, friend, teacher, or coach. Reflection allows you to remember the progress and accomplishments you have made with your sport and academics and begin to set new goals for the future.
Balancing both student and athlete is a challenging feat in today’s world. However, when you manage your time well, become consistent in giving it your best, and take time to reflect on past progress and future goals, you can start to strike a good balance.
Written by: Dr. Austin Shugart, LPC
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