Making Time to Study in College as a Student Athlete

A student athlete has to spend huge amounts of time on field - training, practicing, participating in competitions, meeting with coaches and eventually playing along with other game related activities.

These exercises tend to take up a lot of time of the athlete, which may result in fewer hours dedicated to studying. However, it is not impossible for a student to be an academic gem along with being a star athlete;

Balance between sports and studies only takes a few steps to be followed fruitfully. Let’s take a look at some of them here:

Choose your courses wisely: When in college, some academic courses will always be easier than others and it may be tempting to pick the less difficult classes since they may allow a student to dedicate more time to the game. But try not to get swayed by this. A student should always pick a course of his/her liking and interest because only then, he/she is more likely to succeed. You may have got a soccer or golf scholarship, USA as per your interest in sports. Your choice of academic course should also be guided by skills and interest.

Secondly, try and pick a course combination that allows an easy balance between classes that require a lot of reading as well as lab work. Variety is important, otherwise a student may get bored and tired very easily.

Scheduling is the key: When dividing time between academics and sports, scheduling is of prime importance because only then a student will be able to plan and prepare in advance. Break your schedule into small chunks of time, so you can effectively manage commitments and set practical deadlines. Fill in your schedule with events that cannot be moved or altered since this will give you an analysis of how much "free" time you actually have and how it can be utilized with productive activities. Do not cramp your schedule with tests, assignments and training activities only. It is important to find some downtime too. Find the time to relax, sleep and even connect with yourself through activities such as meditation.

Prioritize classes by level of difficulty: This actually goes hand in hand with ‘scheduling’. Some classes will always be more difficult than others. Be sure to pack in a little extra time for them when drawing out a schedule for yourself. Also, sometimes a class that others may be finding difficult may turn out to be easy for you. Therefore, do not get influenced by how others are prioritizing and devoting time to their classes. Trust your instincts and work accordingly.

Talk to advisors, tutors and socialize with friends outside the team: A freshman is bound to feel lost in the new college environment during the first few weeks. Therefore, it is advisable to rely on student councilors and advisors during this time for a smooth transition into college life. An adviser can help you choose classes and plan schedules conveniently. Similarly, a tutor can also help a student to focus on studies and eliminate distractions, thereby ensuring a healthier and more productive atmosphere.

A student athlete tends to spend a lot of time with people within the team and fellow players. However, one should definitely make a conscious effort to mingle around with people outside sports activities and gaming areas. Joining a study group also helps in socializing with other college goers.

Founded by David Bainbridge, Future Pro USA Ltd is an organisation that supports young UK athletes who are determined to achieve athletic and academic success in United States of America. For further information write at admin@futureprousa.com