Student Athletes and Time Management

Student athletes are often told to make time for studies, but, at the same time, make sure to practice. What does this cause for them? Many student athletes suffer from bad grades while they do very well on the field or court. Often they believe that if they do well in their sport than the grades should not matter. They just do what they have to do to get by. However, this is not true. While many students suffer in school, some student athletes do not. What are their secrets? The best way I have found to improve student athletes’ grades are to show them proper time management. That is the key to a successful student athlete career.

As a student athlete myself, I understand the time and effort it takes to be successful both on and off the field. If you ask my teammates, I was always doing my homework when on the bus or watching another game. I was prepared for anything that could have happened unexpectedly. One thing I was always aware of as an athlete was that anything could happen in a single moment. I have watched many people lose their dream because of one play. In an instant everything they had worked for was gone. When something like this happens, it is often extremely difficult for an athlete to maintain schoolwork. Therefore, they must be self-sufficient while maintaining their everyday activities as best as they can.

Student athletes are everywhere. They are in college, high school, junior high, and even elementary school. Often when you speak to a high school or college student athlete, they mention how busy they are. This is a product of the lack of time management. According to Cornell University, a college student should study an average of 6-8 hours in a single night. That is an extensive amount of time for a student ...

... middle of paper ...

.... The best thing someone can do when trying to improve this is to stay organized and focused. The preeminent first step is to create a plan and stick to it daily. Staying on task and on a time limit will help as well. It is best to know the deadlines that you have for items and plan ahead of time. Having your paper done a day or two before the due date is always better. One thing that many struggle from when trying to gain time management skills is blocking out distractions. Prioritizing your projects and items that need to be done and eliminating unnecessary items can help with time management. Time for yourself and friends is something that is often left out when managing time. Always allow yourself time to relax. Overall, time management can be a difficult thing. Nonetheless, with the right kind of attitude and support it can be very possible and easily achieved.