Managing time as a student athlete can be difficult, especially with a rigorous course load. It is important to stick to schedules and utilize time wisely in order to complete all tasks. 

Setting priorities is one approach to efficient time management. Varsity sports can take up anywhere from 10 to 20 hours a week, so many student athletes prioritize school work based on when it’s due. However, this can lead to problems if an assignment low on the priority list gets forgotten.

According to football player Jeremy Sikora, “Sports do get in the way of completing schoolwork at times. A late practice may cause me to forget about an assignment completely.”

Another strategy that students try is to utilize any free time that they are given in classes. 

Cross country runner Max Eichelberger believes that “spending your time wisely and making the most of study halls” is the key to success. 

In addition to juggling hours of practice with mountains of school work, many athletes are also able to hold a job and participate in clubs or hobbies outside of school. Completing school work in study halls is one way to leave time for relaxation. There are downsides to completing school work in study halls, though. 

Ellen McIlvaine, a soccer player, commented, “I do as much work as I can before we leave and throughout the day, then finish any other work in homeroom and study halls the next day. So, this causes me to have to cram a lot of work into short time periods because I am in 4 AP classes, which all have a large workload.” 

Many student athletes participate in multiple sports during the school year, so there isn’t much time spent without a hectic schedule. Finding a strategy that will allow for the most efficient use of time is important because once a student begins to miss assignments it can be difficult to catch up. 

Sikora stated,  “Once you’re behind it makes it even harder, as a student and athlete, to get ahead again. Always stay on top of your work.”

Not all athletes have the same end goal; some want to continue to play in college and are willing to prioritize playing over other activities, while others would rather focus on their careers after high school. At the end of the day, what works for one athlete may not work for another, but it is important to find a strategy that allows for a balance between school, sports and personal time.