“How To” Manage Your Time As A Student Athlete

Being a college bound student –athlete can be overwhelming if you don’t manage your time properly.  But what I have found is that many do not know HOW to manage their time.  As a teacher, college coach and administrator, I have used a many of strategies.  However my biggest challenge came from my own children.  I am a mother of 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl.  With  three of the children  still in the house and having their own schedules and all are involved in activities outside of the home, we have to manage our time effectively in order for us to do our best.   Not only managing your time makes you a better athlete but it is a habit that will help you beyond high school.  Now that we are at the start of another school year, this article is written to show you HOW to manage your time.  I know, I know you still want to have a life too.  Well, I was a high school student-athlete, a college Division I student-athlete, and now have my own children going through the process.  So, I will make it easy but you have to commit to making it work for you.  So read it, digest it and make it your own. 

Kimberli Perry, Editor-In Chief

With 24 hours in a day, you have to fit in at your age the proper amount of rest you need, eating properly, going to school, homework, study time, practice, competition, friends, relaxing,

family time, etc., right?  Well first you definitely have to learn how to stay organized.  Staying organized and learning how to stay on task can be done in so many ways.  One way is to purchase a planner and write everything down.  If you are tech savvy and you prefer to always keep your phone around then use the Google Calendar.  This is a great tool to keep you organized and it will sync your activities to your smartphone.  The good thing about that is that it will also send you text message alert to remind you to be somewhere.   

Using your planner or your Google Calendar wisely can also help you plan ahead.  Plan ahead you say?  Yes, plan ahead.  As college bound student-athletes there will be times where you may have to miss a class and/or test or assignments because you have to go on the road for your game.  Since your games or events are already in your planner or Google Calendar, you can talk with your teacher earlier rather than later to ensure you cover all of your academic bases.  Being proactive rather than reactive will keep you ahead of the game rather than being overwhelmed.  Besides, you think ahead even when you are in a game by anticipating a pass for the steal or telling your coach you may have to miss practice because you have a doctor’s appointment, right?  So you might as well do it for everything.   Also, if your teacher gives you advance notice on tests or projects, get started right away!  Don’t wait until the last minute.  The best way to start on something now is by taking time to divide the work and do a little each day rather than cramming everything the night before it’s due.  IT WILL TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OF YOU AND YOU CAN SPEND THAT TIME PREPARING FOR YOUR EVENT!

Remember when using your planner and Google Calendar, you should always allocate your time throughout your week wisely by making a weekly agenda.  For example, you have an event on Friday that you know you will need to leave your class early.  Then get your work done on Wednesday or Thursday.  Make it a point to set deadlines for yourself.  This will help you to make sure that things happen when it needs to.  When allocating your time, include your down time.  Down time is essential to keep yourself in good spirits.  Hanging out with your friends or even sleeping in are great but make sure that you are using your weekends wisely.  For example, allocate time for getting a head start on next week’s assignments or even your chores. J

Now, I know you really don’t’ want to hear this but turn your phone off during study time.  I have heard from many of students that they need their phone as a calculator or to look up words.  But, turning your phone off during study times will help you keep your attention where it needs to be.  Get a separate calculator and a dictionary oppose to you using your phone.  Let’s be honest, text messages, Facebook updates, Instagram, snap chats can easily distract you and don’t allow for good studying.  Speaking of Social Media, Facebook and Twitter are great for keeping up with friends and current events but they can also be time-consuming.  Consider committing to spending an hour less each day on social media and allocate that time accordingly!  I PROMISE, YOU WON’T MISS THAT MUCH!

Finally, I think it is great to be involved in activities but you must know your limits.  Over extending yourself and becoming too involved can sometimes make your grades suffer.  So, know your limits, use your planner or your Google Calendar and sign up for things you know you can handle.  Always remember this, IT IS OKAY TO SAY NO! 

Well, I know that some of the tips that I have provided are probably going to be a little difficult because it is new!  But I leave you quote by Benjamin Franklin, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”  Whether you know it or not you are a mini-hero and mini-heroes need wisdom and they need to know how to get better.  This is a start!