Academics and Athletics
The key to being a student-athlete is balance.
With all the demands placed on high school athletes these days, achieving a balance between academics and athletics can be difficult. Athletes are expected to dedicate more and more time to their sport, with off-season leagues and conditioning. Participating in athletics is a year-round commitment, not just a three-month season.
It is possible to be a true student-athlete. Balance can be achieved by learning to prioritize, getting organized, knowing what you can handle, managing your time, and looking to the future.
Figure out your priorities. Often with athletics, it seems as if your priorities are set for you. However, you need to take a step back and discover what really is important in your life. Sports are great. Many life lessons can be learned from taking part in athletics and being part of a team. Athletics may seem like the most important part of high school now, but take care that your sports career does not overshadow your academic career.
Get organized. With all the technology we have today, getting organized is easier than ever. Worried about forgetting to attend your band lesson or golf team meeting? No problem. Set a reminder on your phone and let technology worry about the small things while you focus on your priorities.
Know what you can handle. At times you may have to choose between activities that you enjoy. It may not be possible to commit enough time and effort to being the captain of the basketball team, president of the National Honor Society, and yearbook editor. Prioritize your activities and only commit to what you can handle.
Manage your time. A good way to manage your time is to develop a list of specific things to be done each day, set your priorities, and the get the most important ones done as soon as possible. It is important and necessary to take breaks and relax throughout the day, and they can be a good way to reward yourself after you get something done as planned.
Look to the future. Even for the few who have the opportunity to compete at a professional level, sports careers are short. Look ahead and think about what you want to be doing five or ten years from now. Make realistic goals for your life and stay on the path to achieve them. Sports will probably always be a part of your life, but academics are important to your future. If the quest for knowledge is not a priority in your life now, it is going to be a difficult transition to college and the workplace.
By organizing and prioritizing your life, you can achieve success in the classroom and on the playing field.
