From maintaining good grades to performing well in practices and competitions, school sports are extremely stressful for students. Athletes at South are faced with the constant pressure of having to balance their life in and outside of school. As a fall and spring sport athlete myself, a question that I often ask is; how is it possible to manage all of this?
I understand first hand how difficult it is to keep up with school while having to practice two hours after school each day. By the time I get home from school and practice, I am met with hours of homework and studying to complete, with not enough time to do it. After a hard practice and a late night, focusing on lessons becomes more difficult, and my grades begin to drop.
I am sure that I can speak for many athletes at South when I say that it can be very overwhelming to stay consistent in the classroom and at practice. However, after a few weeks of adjusting to my schedule, I usually fall into the groove of things. Practicing good time management and productivity has helped me to refine my work ethic, and improve my overall way of life during the school year.
To me, school sports are only as demanding as you make them to be. I think that they only become “too much” when people start to get lazy and give up on trying their best. As exhausting as it is, the key to maintaining a balance is an equal dedication to both schoolwork and sports.
Surrounding yourself with people who support you and encourage you to do your best is certainly helpful in keeping up with life, however in the end it depends on the motivation that you have to be successful.
There is always room to improve and try harder. Although it is a hard realization to accept, it is necessary for success in life. It took me three seasons of cross country and track to understand that the hardest work is put in behind the scenes, but when I did, it changed my life. My focus became sharper in school, and my performance in practices and competitions improved drastically.
If you are an athlete asking yourself how it is possible to balance all of the work that is given to you, you are asking yourself the wrong question. What you should really be asking is: am I giving it my all?
