Time Management

How to Make Your Time More Valuable as an Athlete

Time management is the most important aspect of being a student athlete. It is absolutely crucial when balancing school, sport, and everything else on your plate. Sometimes it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day (and usually, there isn't). We've created a list of tips and tricks to help make the most of your time:

Complete assignments in order: It makes it easier on yourself to complete assignments in the order in which they are assigned and due. Jumping around from assignment to assignment can become confusing, and you might end up accidentally leaving one for the last minute.

Get ahead when you can: Any chance you get to get ahead, DO IT! It will pay off in the end. As the semester and season go on, the work will pile up, so get it done when you can.

Get a planner: Getting a planner is the most important step to managing every other tip on this list. It allows you to organize your thoughts and your assignments, and it helps you plan when to work on assignments around practice and game schedules. You can also use it to schedule down-time!

Schedule classes around when you'll be traveling for your sport: Scheduling your classes around your game schedule can save you a major headache in the future. It helps to avoid conflicts and to get the most out of your education. Try to minimize Friday classes, especially in the afternoon.

Make your own deadlines considering your practice and game schedule: Just because you have an assignment due at the end of the week doesn't mean you can't submit it earlier. As a student-athlete, you have more factors to consider than a regular student does. Make deadlines that work for you.

Treat school like a 9-5: This will allow you to discipline yourself. If you have the mentality that your school is a 9-5 job, you are less likely to get distracted or put off your work. It also gives you free time at the end of the day if you get all your work done during the “work day.”

Take advantage of times you're feeling motivated: Sticking to a schedule is great, but if you find yourself super motivated one afternoon, take advantage of that! You can get a lot more done during a time you weren't planning to get homework done, but just felt like it, than when you plan to work on homework but aren't in the mood.

Double dip on your time: Can you get your textbook as an audiobook and listen to it while you workout? Can you read or work on homework during treatment or while on a stationary bike getting your cardio in? If you have classes with your teammates, you can do group projects with them, so you can chat about the project during runs or lifts, rather than having to schedule extra time. You can even do homework on the bus!

Related: 4 Tips for Studying on the Go

Don't take on too much: Give yourself a break. Be realistic about what you can and cannot handle. It's ok to say that you can't do something.

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule: This one is a no brainer. Sleep is key. Go to sleep at a reasonable hour and stick to it. No exceptions.

Sort out your priorities: Naturally, some priorities are going to outrank others in order of importance. Identity what those priorities are and tackle them first.