School-Sport Balance

How to Optimize Your Time as a Student Athlete

By Anna Garrett|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on November 4, 2021)

College athletes have busy, and often stressful, schedules. Between everything you have to do for school and your sport, it can be overwhelming. I've compiled 6 tips on how to optimize your time and make your student-athlete experience a little easier to manage.

Write things down

I suggest having a planner with your whole schedule and due dates written down. This helps you see the bigger picture of the tasks you need to accomplish and when you should start them.

I also create a checklist each morning that lists the things I need to complete in order on that day. Crossing things off makes me feel like I have achieved something while getting my work done.

Be in the moment

Whether you are at practice, workouts, school, or working on homework, make sure you are only focused on the task in front of you. Giving your all in that moment will make you feel satisfied with what you are doing. Not focusing on other things will also leave you less stressed and more focused, so you can get that task done more quickly.

Eat, Sleep, Hydrate, Repeat

This is pretty self-explanatory, but if you're not eating healthy, sleeping enough, and staying hydrated, completing your daily routine will be much harder.

Find 30 minutes for you

It may be hard to find time for yourself, but you will notice a big difference when you do. In this time you can journal, meditate, read, or do anything that isn't focused on your sport or school. It will help you be less stressed and more ready to take on the day.

Downtime is your friend

Even if you have 15 minutes of nothing, something can always be done. You can take a power nap, write a discussion, or get treatment for your sport. Whatever it is, make sure it is benefitting you.

Don't spread yourself too thin

You already have a busy schedule, so don't take on too many things. The more things you say yes to, the less time you have for yourself, which may lead to you not getting important things done.